the youngest ‘Millionaire’ to become and the fourth in the history of the Copa Libertadores

Sometimes a strong shot is not necessary, but a well-placed shot. That made Franco Mastantuono to appear at the moment I needed it most River and, with a shot from his less skilled leg, he achieved the 2-1 victory that gave Millonario the victory this Wednesday as a visitor against Libertad in Paraguay, which brings him closer to qualifying in the Copa Libertadores. The goal, in the 85th minute, made the talented left-footer the youngest player from Núñez’s team to score in the top continental competition.

At 35 minutes of the second half, Mastantuono received the ball from Manuel Lanzini at the door of Libertad’s large area, stepped on it with his left foot and took a low and soft shot from the right, which passed through a very narrow space since there were many legs of the Paraguayan team to defend that attack by the Millonario team.

“I’m still drowning because it was a very difficult, very tough game. “We knew it was going to be complicated.”Mastantuono expressed at the end of the game at Defensores del Chaco. And he continued, with a special mention: “I dedicate the goal to my family and my teammates who are always there and support me at all times.”

Mastantuono nailed his right hand, like a slow billiard ball, well adjusted against goalkeeper Morinigo’s right post – there was a minimal detour along the way – and celebrated at 16 years, 8 months and 10 days. Thus he surpassed Javier Saviola (scored at 17 years, 2 months and 13 days against Vélez in 1999) and Fernando Cavenaghi (converted with 17 years, 5 months and 13 days to Paraguayan Guaraní in 2001).

He also “suffered” it (in quotes because he actually enjoyed it) Claudio ‘Diablito’ Echeverribecause after having converted last week against Nacional of Uruguay at 18 years, 3 months and 9 days, he had finished in third place above Gonzalo Higuain (18 years, 4 months and 24 days) and Pablo Aimar (18, 5 months and 6 days).

At the level of the entire history of the Libertadores, Mastantuono was in fourth placer behind Angelo Gabriel (Saints of Brazil, 16 years and 106 days), Moisés Paniagua (Always Ready, 16-188) y Juan Carlos “Chango” Cárdenas (Racing, 16-217). This Wednesday he surpassed, precisely, the Paraguayan Julio Enciso (Libertad, 16-307).

I had already entered the big story of River, Mastantuono. Because last February 7, in the first round of the Argentine Cup, the kid in Blue pushed the ball to score the second goal of the 3-0 against Excursionistas and He became the youngest footballer to convert with the red band, surpassing none other than Javier Saviola.

Mastantuono had thus remained at the top of the precocious scorers in the club’s history. At 16 years and 177 days he surpassed Javier Saviola (in 1996 he converted at 16 and 311), Lucas Ocampos (2011, 17-40), Daniel ‘Keko’ Villalva (2009, 17-55) and Fernando Cavenaghi (2001, 17 -166).

Sunday, January 28, was the debut of Mastantuono, the kid from Azul who entered for Facundo Colidio and played his first official match at just 16 years, five months and 14 days old. Thus, in addition, he 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 Ninth, Seventh and Fifth to being part of the professional team led by Martín Demichelis and participating 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.

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 80s, Pablo Aimar made his debut on August 11, 1996 (0-1 with Colón) at the age of 16 years, nine months and four days, while Javier Saviola was 24 days away from turning 17, the October 18, 1998 against Gimnasia de Jujuy (2-2).