Argentina fear Real Madrid are freezing out their emerging talent ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

What started as a promising chapter for Franco Mastantuono at Real Madrid is now turning into a period of uncertainty, and in Argentina, everyone is beginning to worry, reports Mundo Deportivo.

This is because the young midfielder’s role has changed sharply under Alvaro Arbeloa. 

Not long ago, he looked like one of the coach’s trusted options. Today, however, he is barely seeing the pitch. 

The concern is not just about club minutes; it is about timing. The Finalissima against Spain on March 27 and the World Cup in June are fast approaching. 

For a player hoping to be part of Argentina’s plans, rhythm and visibility are everything.

The drop has been sudden. Mastantuono featured heavily in Arbeloa’s first matches in charge. 

In fact, during the first six games under the new manager, he started five times. 

He even managed to score and consistently played more than 70 minutes per match. At that stage, it seemed he had found stability inside a competitive Real Madrid midfield.

Then something shifted.

A sudden change

Franco Mastantuono has fallen out of favour. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

Since the Rayo Vallecano game, his presence has faded. 

Notably, he came on in the 82nd minute against Valencia and did not play against Real Sociedad, Benfica in the Champions League, or Osasuna on the last matchday.

That’s just 13 minutes in four games. For a player who was recently starting regularly, that statistic alone explains the anxiety building back home.

In Argentina, this is being viewed as more than a simple rotation. There is a feeling that Mastantuono has slipped down the internal hierarchy at the worst possible moment. 

Understandably, Real Madrid’s packed schedule would normally open doors for squad players. Instead, his path has narrowed.

As reported by the outlet, River Plate icon Norberto Alonso offered a brutally honest assessment of the situation. He said, 

“They’re killing him. Do you know why? I think that kid is going to end up in a lower-level team. 

“Then, maybe he’ll come back to Real, but first he has to prove that he’s ready for Real.” 

Those words may sound harsh, but they show a deeper fear. At Real Madrid, patience is limited. Young talents either adapt quickly or risk being loaned out to rebuild confidence and continuity.