The strange trip of Real Madrid's young star

Called up to the Argentina squad amid much fanfare, Franco Mastantuono flew halfway around the world to the US - only to not play a single minute, then return to Madrid to train as usual.

Franco Mastantuono is playing for Real Madrid.

The international break saw a series of quick departures and arrivals. Kylian Mbappe played 82 minutes for France against Azerbaijan before quickly returning to Real Madrid. But Franco Mastantuono’s case was even more bizarre.

The 18-year-old was called up by coach Lionel Scaloni for Argentina’s friendly matches in the United States. He landed in Florida, posed for a few photos in the Albiceleste jersey, and then… sat out completely. The reason given: muscle overload in his left leg.

The Argentine Football Association announced that the Real Madrid player would return to Spain for treatment. But just days later, the media reported that Mastantuono was training normally under the direction of Xabi Alonso at Valdebebas. No bandages, no restrictions on movement – ​​just another training day like any other.

Mastantuono's story is the latest example of the hidden tug-of-war between club and national team - where the line between "protecting players" and "keeping people" becomes blurred.

Teams, especially big ones like Argentina, often choose to be cautious: not risking young talent if there is a risk of injury, while also avoiding the reputation of “wearing out” club players. But that sometimes turns the training trips into meaningless journeys.

For Mastantuono, instead of getting a rest or playing a few minutes to gain experience, he had to fly across the Atlantic to do… nothing.

Now, the midfielder born in 2008 is back in Madrid, training well and will most likely be available for the match against Getafe this weekend. Real Madrid will certainly be relieved, but Argentina fans can only wonder: does that call-up mean anything other than proving… the confusion of modern player schedules?

A raucous trip with barely a minute on the pitch - but one that says a lot about how football is increasingly being driven by vested interests rather than the game itself.

Source: https://znews.vn/chuyen-di-ky-la-cua-sao-tre-real-madrid-post1594194.html