Real Madrid prodigy knows he must fight to reclaim place in starting XI

Sunday’s El Clasico delivered everything expected from one of football’s most heated rivalries – controversy, emotion, and endless drama.

Yet, amid all the chaos at the Santiago Bernabeu, one significant detail went almost unnoticed, which was the complete absence of Franco Mastantuono from the matchday squad.

The 18-year-old Argentine prodigy, hailed as one of Real Madrid’s brightest young signings, was neither in the starting XI nor did he appear as a substitute – a decision that many missed entirely.

While it can be argued that Xabi Alonso was merely trying to shield the youngster from the pressure and hostility of such a high-intensity fixture, the reality is that Mastantuono appears to be losing ground in the pecking order week by week.

According to AS , the midfielder’s minutes have been dwindling. He played just six minutes against Juventus and has slipped further down Alonso’s list of trusted options for big games.

In that same Juventus encounter, Brahim Diaz was preferred on the right – a role that could easily have belonged to Mastantuono.

Franco Mastantuono has not been trusted in big matches recently. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Against Barcelona, Brahim was the first substitute. This sequence of decisions highlights that while Mastantuono remains part of the long-term project, he must work harder to reclaim his starting place.

Alonso reportedly still has faith in the Argentine and plans to give him opportunities, possibly starting with the upcoming clash against Valencia.

So far this season, Mastantuono has featured in 11 matches across all competitions, starting eight.

He arrived in Madrid with huge expectations, but after scoring his only goal against Levante, his impact has waned.

Between recent matches against Atletico Madrid and Getafe, the 18-year-old has registered only two shots on target and five completed dribbles.

Still, within the club, there is confidence that the youngster will bounce back.