River Plate’s 17-year-old sensation Franco Mastantuono will remain at the club for the 2025 season, says club board member Stefano Di Carlo — despite interest from elite European clubs.

Mastantuono scored the opener for his side in their 2-1 Superclasico victory over Boca Juniors on Sunday, curling home a left-footed free-kick from around 30 yards out. It was the teenager’s fourth goal in 13 matches this season.

The Athletic reported in July 2024 that Real Madrid were interested in acquiring the attacking midfielder. Mastantuono turns 18 in August, at which point he could depart the Argentinian club. Any deal agreed before that would see him remain with River Plate until he turns 18, in a similar manner to Madrid’s signing of Endrick from Palmeiras.

Di Carlo, however, told SportsCenter on Monday that Mastantuono would remain at the club for at least the remainder of 2025, saying: “Yes, yes, that’s a certainty already.”

En efecto 💎🎬 pic.twitter.com/zFGUvXSaV6

— River Plate (@RiverPlate) April 27, 2025

The Athletic previously reported that Mastantuono has a release clause set in his contract, which initially stood at €45million ($51.3m) but has since risen to €50m ($57m). Mastantuono is eligible for an Italian passport through his grandmother, allowing him to play across Europe more easily. His contract runs until 2026.

Mastantuono garnered widespread attention when he scored a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner to give River Plate a 1-0 victory over Sarmiento Junin last season, then aged 16. It was his only league goal of the 2024 campaign, though he scored four in all competitions across 43 appearances. He has already matched that tally this season.

River Plate are third in Group B of the Liga Profesional, four points off top side Rosario. Mastantuono’s side will compete at the summer’s Club World Cup, held in the United States, with fixtures against Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey and Inter in the group stage. The Club World Cup starts on June 15, and the final is set for July 13 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

(Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)