Second Real Madrid star misses U20 World Cup duty | OneFootball

Real Madrid are fully focused on a key run of games ahead of the October FIFA international break for World Cup qualifiers.

Los Blancos have won all four La Liga games so far this season under Xabi Alonso alongside an opening victory in the UEFA Champions League.

The importance of four league games, and a UCL trip to Kazakhstan, are the main focus and that has impacted Franco Mastantuono.

The 18-year-old has impressed in his opening weeks in Madrid after joining Alonso’s team upon turning 18 in mid-August.

However, amid speculation he could be called up into Argentina’s squad for the incoming U20 World Cup have now been quashed.

Image via Diario UNO

Mastantuono has not been included in Diego Placente’s 20-man squad for the tournament in Chile because – as cited by Marca – clubs are ‘not obliged to release players for a FIFA youth competition’.

His departure would have deprived Alonso of his services for almost a month in the middle of the season and he joins Endrick Felipe who was not released for Brazil duty.

Alonso has big plans for Mastantuono this season, amid doubts over Endrick’s place, but he could still join up with the Argentina senior squad next month.

Lionel Scaloni handed the teenager a senior debut in June and he started in the September win over Venezuela in Buenos Aires.

With qualification for next summer’s tournament now assured, Scaloni is set to rest players for friendlies in the US in October, up against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

Despite the pressure to include Lionel Messi in the Venezuela game in Miami, Scaloni is hoping to rest his captain, and rotations could be a slot for Mastantuono.

As it stands, he is on the edge of Scaloni’s squad for the World Cup itself, and he will not want to miss an opportunity to push his case.