Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono explains why Lionel Messi ‘wanted to kill him’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid starlet Franco Mastantuono has admitted that Lionel Messi ‘wanted to kill him’ during their first time playing together. Mastantuono and Messi both started on Thursday night as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0, with a brace from the latter.

It was a significant occasion, with Messi playing his final competitive clash on Argentine soil, as he himself has admitted. The 38-year-old also surprised fans by declaring that he may not play in the 2026 World Cup, on an emotional evening.

Mastantuono on playing with Messi

While many Real Madrid players declare Cristiano Ronaldo, or a more neutral choice, as their idol and/or the best-ever player, a confident Mastantuono, only just turned 18, declared Messi as both. The teenage starlet took to the pitch, and on one occasion opted to shoot rather than play the ball back to Messi in a better position.

“He wanted to kill me, but he understood it. I apologised for the play,” Mastantuono told Diario AS.

Image via EFE

“It was amazing to play with him. It was truly my life’s dream. Doing it at River Plate’s ground was incredible. I’ve always said it, he’s my idol since I was a kid. I watched him his entire career, and watching him play the way he did…”

“It’s what he deserved,” Mastantuono asserted on the homage paid to Messi by the fans at El Monumental.

Mastantuono makes promising start at Real Madrid

It’s been a positive start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu for Mastantuono, who officially joined less than a month ago. The Argentina international has clearly caught the eye of Xabi Alonso, who has started him in two of their three Liga matches, and came on in the other. The Basque manager has also spoken highly of him and his impact, with Mastantuono looking bright if at times inconsistent so far.