At 16 years old, he got on a historic Millionaire podium

The Inferiores de River continue to be an inexhaustible quarry. Every year new gems come to light. Last year it was the Little Devil Claudio Echeverry At just 17 years old and already sold to Manchester City. And this Sunday, January 28, was the premiere of Franco Mastantuono, the kid from Azul who joined for Facundo Colidio and played his first official match with barely 16 years, five months and 14 days. Thus, furthermore, it became the third youngest player to debut in the First Division in the history of the millionaire club.

In his hometown, the kid stood out in two sports: tennis and soccer. In the first, he was among the five best in the national Under 12 ranking. In the second, the left-hander dazzled those in charge of River youth football in a test they did in 2015. But it took four years to convince him to reach the club pension.

In five years he went from standing out in Novena, Séptima and Quinta to being part of the professional team he directs Martin Demichelis and participate in the 2024 preseason. In August of last year he signed his first contract, until December 2025, with a termination clause of 30 million euros.

On December 10, 2006, in a 1-1 draw against Vélez, Mateo Musacchio He became the youngest footballer to debut in River’s first division. He was 16 years, three months and 15 days old. Left behind was the brand established by Omar Guillermo RosYes, Pipo’s brother Néstor Rossi, who debuted in the professional strike of 1948, on November 28 against San Lorenzo (3-3) at 16 years, 4 months and 24 days. Unlike other youth players who play during times of strike, Rossi later established himself in the First Division, with a loan to Huracán and a good return to the club. However, in 1957 leukemia was detected and he died on July 11, 1957, at the age of 25.

Three other club glories also debuted at the age of 16. The first was Adolfo Pedernera, who on July 28, 1935 (1-1 with Ferro) was that age at eight months and 13 days. Already in the 80’s, Pablo Aimar made its debut on August 11, 1996 (0-1 with Colón) at 16 years, nine months and four days, while at Javier Saviola He was 24 days away from turning 17, on October 18, 1998 against Gimnasia de Jujuy (2-2).

“Mastantuono was a children’s tennis champion in Argentina. He was not completely convinced by football but luckily, living in the club’s pension and with the games he was convinced to stay with us “he told her a few days ago Gabriel Rodrigueztoday Children’s Coordinator, to Clarion. The kid is left-footed, a classic hitter, with technical and tactical versatility to move as a playmaker, he is a dribbler and has a tremendous punch.