Real Madrid’s Argentine legend explains why new signing hasn’t performed at Bernabeu this season — “He needs chances” | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s summer signing of Franco Mastantuono was one of the most anticipated arrivals in recent memory, with the teenager arriving from River Plate with an enormous reputation and even greater expectations.

However, the Argentine has struggled to make a consistent impact at the Bernabeu this season, especially amid ongoing tensions in the Real Madrid dressing room.

Now, a Real Madrid legend who knows exactly what it feels like to arrive from Argentina and carry those expectations has offered his perspective on why Mastantuono has found it difficult.

Martinez on Mastantuno’s struggles

Roberto Martinez, who scored 108 goals for Espanyol and won five La Liga titles with Real Madrid after arriving from Argentina, spoke to Diario AS ahead of tonight’s clash between his two former clubs.

The 79-year-old was sympathetic towards Mastantuono, pointing to the unique pressures of adapting to a new country and a new footballing environment at such a young age.

Mastantuono hasn’t quite got going at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“He’s a great player, without any discussion, but he’s being affected by his acclimatisation. He is young. He needs the chances to show what he is worth, that boy plays very good football,” he said.

When asked whether a loan move might help accelerate his development, the former striker was open to the idea.

“It is quite possible that he is right. He has not yet shown what he is capable of. It’s a special case because we didn’t think he was going to fail. After all, it was with a tremendous chance of being a star. In big teams, sometimes that weighs when it comes to playing,” he said.

Finally, when asked whether or not Real Madrid need a major overhaul in the coming summer, Martinez stopped short of calling for a revolution but acknowledged that the club must evolve.

“Football has changed a lot and we have to prepare to stay in the fight at the top. Because that’s Madrid,” he concluded.