He might only be 17 years old, but Franco Mastantuono is already preparing to make his mark at one of the biggest clubs in the world—Real Madrid. The River Plate prodigy is one of Argentina’s most exciting prospects, yet his path could have looked very different.

At one point, he had dreams of becoming a YouTuber. He was also a promising young tennis player, travelling across Argentina to compete. But football always seemed to pull harder. As it turns out, he was simply too gifted to ignore.

River Plate will receive €45m (£38.5m) for the attacking midfielder. Including add-ons, taxes, and third-party fees, Real Madrid's full outlay will come to €63.2m (£54m)—a record sale for the Argentine top flight.

The move will be official once Mastantuono turns 18 in August, shortly after the Club World Cup, where he hopes to leave his boyhood club on a high. His next task: helping Group E leaders River Plate secure progression to the last 16 with a result against Inter Milan.

"Any player in the world dreams of playing for River Plate and Real Madrid," Mastantuono told DAZN. "I want to leave River Plate on a high note because it's given me everything. I'm very grateful. My focus is on trying to win the tournament."

Though still waiting to make his debut in Spain, Mastantuono has already dazzled in Argentina. He has featured 63 times for River Plate, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists. At 16, he became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history and recently became the youngest player to represent Argentina at senior level, debuting against Chile.

His reputation soared following a man-of-the-match performance against Monterrey, where he showed off his composure, creativity, and deadly left foot.

His former coach Roberto Binzuna, president of Cemento Armado, told BBC Sport: "Franco's passage through our club left an indelible mark. He's a sensational young man with outstanding human and sporting characteristics. A fantastic tennis player and an even better footballer."

"His presence always stood out, even among older players. He has an incredible shot on him."

Though often deployed on the right wing, Mastantuono's influence tends to come from central areas. Against Urawa Red Diamonds, he drifted inside and delivered a sharp pass that led to Facundo Colidio's opener.

He’s known for his close control, agility, and ability to shift the ball with minimal backlift. Former coach Marcelo Olariaga, vice president of River Plate Azuleno, remembers his early days: "Compared to the rest, he ran very lightly with the ball. But he always had it tied to his feet."

That level of technical balance was no doubt aided by his tennis background. "Travelling the country and competing in tennis, where the mental aspect is so important, helped me grow as a footballer," Mastantuono told Argentine outlet Olé.

Born in the small city of Azul, south of Buenos Aires, Mastantuono grew up playing in the local square. His father, Cristian, was also his coach. "He developed in the system with the luck of having his dad as a coach. A good cohort of players came through," said Olariaga.

His 30-yard free-kick goal against Boca Juniors in April demonstrated his set-piece prowess, and his general play suggests a maturity beyond his years. "Franco wasn’t always a leader, but he always encouraged his teammates. He carried the team in difficult moments," Olariaga added.

Once he arrives at the Bernabeu, Mastantuono will face stiff competition. The likes of Rodrygo, Arda Guler, and Brahim Díaz all offer attacking flair. Yet at just 17, he has time to develop—and Real Madrid’s track record with youth is impressive.

It was Xabi Alonso who personally convinced the teenager to choose Madrid. "The way he spoke to me was incredible. I'm incredibly grateful. Having the manager want you is a significant vote of confidence for a player," said Mastantuono.

"Leaving a club like River Plate isn't easy. His words really motivated me to make that leap."

According to Tom Nash, co-host of the River Pod podcast: "His areas for improvement will probably be physical—he needs to gain strength—and his understanding of pressing without the ball, as top European teams demand."

Football agent Eduardo Ferreira added: "There's a risk with everything. But Real Madrid has a proven method of developing players. Even if he doesn't meet their expectations, he'll be prepared for opportunities at other top European clubs."

He continued: "Look at Martin Ødegaard—he wasn't ready for Real Madrid at first but became a key player elsewhere. Time will tell if Franco can reach that level."