With the season now concluded, attention has shifted to the upcoming summer transfer window, where Real Madrid is expected to be one of the standout players. This follows a challenging campaign marked by significant injuries that severely hindered the team’s progress. In this context, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez recently received advice from former club legend Thierry Henry, who urged the club to sign a player he described as a “phenomenon.”
“It always amazes me in football when people say no one will ever surpass Messi or Cristiano,” Henry said during an appearance on CBS Sports’ Stunning Goal. “In my generation, there were Pelé, Maradona, Zidane, Ronaldo… then came Lamine Yamal. Now there’s this young Argentinian, Mastantuono, who scored the winning goal in El Clásico against Boca Juniors from a free kick. That’s the magic of football.”
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Henry continued, “It’s crazy that these players are only 17. I started my career at that age, and it’s great to see someone who can control the rhythm of a match. I wish him all the best, but we must avoid putting too much pressure on him. Let him enjoy the game.”
Claudio Echeverri Mastantuono, the Argentine midfielder, stole the spotlight in the recent Superclásico between River Plate and Boca Juniors at the Monumental Stadium, scoring a brilliant free-kick goal that showcased his exceptional talent. Real Madrid had shown strong interest in the player last summer, but negotiations collapsed due to River Plate’s financial demands, as his release clause is set at €45 million.
Despite his age, Mastantuono has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in Argentine football, drawing attention from top European clubs including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. However, sources close to the player suggest he favors a move to La Liga, particularly to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s management had previously tried to negotiate more flexible terms, proposing to split the transfer fee into two installments while allowing the player to remain on loan at River Plate for an additional season. Nevertheless, the Argentine club held firm, and Florentino Pérez remained committed to the club’s strict transfer policy.
While both sides have maintained their positions, Real Madrid continues to monitor Mastantuono closely and has not ruled out reviving the deal — provided the financial terms are acceptable. This approach remains consistent with the club’s current philosophy and will not change, even at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu.
