Real Madrid wonderkid hoping to regain prominence after recent lack of minutes | OneFootball

Franco Mastantuono is not experiencing his best moment at Real Madrid, but his luck may be about to turn. Circumstances appear to be aligning.

The Argentine prodigy has now been called up for four consecutive matches since recovering from his pubalgia issue without playing a single minute: Girona, Athletic Club, Celta Vigo and Manchester City.

Having recovered from the pubic discomfort problems, he now needs to reach optimal fitness, and Xabi does not yet consider him ready. But the calendar suggests that the green light may be close, reports AS.

Mastantuono aiming to return to prominence

Indeed, as per the report, Mastantuono now hopes to regain minutes and reclaim his prominence in the team.

It is clear that Mastantuono is not among Real Madrid’s starters at the moment. He was at the beginning of the season, having started four of the first six league matches and the first two in the Champions League. But he has lost that status and now must start again from the bottom.

Several factors point in the direction of him regaining prominence in the weeks to come. The first is that the pubalgia is increasingly a thing of the past.

Mastantuono eager to regain importance. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The problem originated during the FIFA Club World Cup, when he was still at River Plate, and the break of several weeks helped solve it, at least for the moment.

Another factor is the fixture list, particularly the Copa del Rey. Against Talavera in the Round of 32 next week, Real Madrid are expected to field their B unit, and Mastantuono should be part of that group.

Moreover, Brahim Diaz’s departure to the Africa Cup of Nations after the match against Alaves, probably until mid January, also benefits him by reducing competition.

Against Manchester City, Alonso again used three forwards and the improvement was noticeable, so the system appears likely to continue. If that is the case, Mastantuono’s chances increase further.

Alonso’s lucky charm

And there is another reason that Alonso might count on Mastantuono more regularly – Real Madrid have done extremely well with him in the starting XI.

Indeed, with Mastantuono in the starting line up, Real Madrid have won all nine matches he has played. Since his injury, the team have recorded two wins, three draws and three defeats against Liverpool, Celta and Manchester City.

It is not a direct causal link, as the teenager’s performances were not extraordinary, but his work and creativity contributed to Real Madrid’s best spells this season, the version of the team that Alonso urgently needs to recover, starting against Alaves.