Real Madrid youngster set to be omitted by national team for 2026 FIFA World Cup | OneFootball

While most national teams have already announced their squads for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, defending champions Argentina are yet to do so.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has admitted he has some doubts in the squad and is expected to leave it late before announcing the Argentina final squad.

The Argentina squad is likely to include familiar faces such as Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Emiliano Martinez, among others.

Franco Mastantuono set to miss out

Mastantuono unlikely to feature in the World Cup. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)

However, according to journalist Gaston Edul, Real Madrid’s attacking star Franco Mastantuono is one of the players likely to miss out on the Argentina squad.

The journalist claims the former River Plate star will not make the final Argentina squad after a poor debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu.

This will serve as a massive blow for Mastantuono, who was, not too long ago, considered one of Argentina’s finest young talents.

Mastantuono’s poor season at Real Madrid

Mastantuono’s potential omission, though, would make sense considering the poor season he has had since joining Real Madrid last summer.

All eyes on the Argentina squad announcement. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The attacker has struggled for prominence in the Real Madrid first-team, often struggling with a lack of recognition by coaches as well as injuries.

The 18-year-old did not even manage to muster 1,500 minutes of footballing action. He ended the season with just three goals and one assist.

Most of these appearances have come during the first phase of the season under Xabi Alonso. Under Alvaro Arbeloa, the attacker has featured in just 12 league matches, mustering under 500 minutes of league action.

Keeping that in mind, Mastantuono will be biting his lips as Scaloni announces the final Argentina squad. He has until May 29 to do so.