Alonso talks Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Mastantuono

by Football

Real Madrid midfielder Franco Mastantuono has quickly “connected” with his new team-mates and is already offering “a lot”, manager Xabi Alonso has said after the Argentina newcomer made his full debut in the 3-0 LaLiga win at Oviedo on Sunday.

Ten days after turning 18, Mastantuono produced an energetic display as the title hopefuls overcame their promoted opponents through goals by Kylian Mbappe in the 37th and 83rd minutes and substitute Vinicius Junior three minutes into added time.

“He had a very good game,” Alonso said of Mastantuono after the Spaniard secured victory in his first away game in charge.

“In a short time he has managed to connect with the group. He looks very involved in the day-to-day routine and in the game.”

Franco Mastantuono stats

Mastantuono agreed to join Madrid from River Plate for £38.5 million in June, having won the Supercopa Argentina with the club in 2023.

Earlier that month, Mastantuono had become Argentina’s youngest debutant by making his bow in World Cup qualifying at 17 years and 296 days of age.

“He’s going to give us a lot in the short, medium and long-term,” predicted Alonso. “He’s very young. I’m happy he’s with us. He has great energy and a great left foot. He’s going to keep improving.”

Kylian Mbappe ‘motivated’ for Madrid

Alonso said last season’s LaLiga top scorer, Kylian Mbappe, had regained four kilograms from the illness the France icon suffered during the Club World Cup in June.

Mbappe span sharply after collecting Arda Guler’s pass to strike the opener, then latched on to Vinicius Junior’s pass for the second.

“I can’t tell you much about [Mbappe] last season because I wasn’t here,” added Alonso. “He’s doing well, is motivated and is spreading [that] to the team.

“I love seeing him do those turns. We know he’s going to score goals, but when we get those distances we’re on the same page, both when we have the ball and when we lose it.”

The 26-year-old already has three goals in 2025/26 after scoring a penalty in Madrid’s 1-0 home win over Osasuna on Tuesday.

“He did very well today and the other day as well,” said Alonso. “We’re still improving and seeing what we need to correct. We’ve only been here a short time but I think we have a positive feeling.”

Vinicius Junior: Madrid super-sub

Brazil winger Vinicius Junior’s place on the bench was something of a surprise, having started 43 times in all competitions last season and been a starter in all six of the games Alonso oversaw at the Club World Cup.

“He did very well when he came on,” said Alonso, who introduced the 25-year-old in the 63rd minute.

“We need everyone – those who start, those who come off the bench.

“There are going to be a lot of games for everyone. It depends on what we need in terms of the game, the workload and the opposition.

“I haven’t made a decision for the next month. I’m going to see how we recover and make sure that people feel important and ready to start, come off the bench or be able to be in the next game.

“This is important for the stability of the team’s performance. [Against Oviedo, it] was a game to show that we’re still improving.

“We have 20-odd players in the squad and I’m going to try to get the best out of all of them. Sometimes you can have a few minutes and be important.

“[Against Oviedo], Vini was important. My intention is that everyone contributes to the team. That’s going to be the norm.”

Real Madrid fixtures

Madrid are next in action at home to Mallorca, who have taken one point from their first two games, on Saturday (20:30 BST / 15:30 ET / 12:30 PT).

They visit Real Sociedad in mid-September (date TBA) in their first match after the international break.

Los Blancos have joined reigning champions Barcelona and Villarreal as the first sides to win their first two games of the LaLiga season.

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