This Sunday, the primary Clasico of the 2025–26 season will happen at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The matchup between Actual Madrid and Barcelona presents no scarcity of storylines — from the battle for the highest spot in La Liga standings to the much-anticipated showdown between Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. Nevertheless, Franco Mastantuono and Lionel Messi, teammates on the Argentina nationwide workforce, may even be within the highlight.
Mastantuono has rapidly established himself at Actual Madrid since arriving from River Plate this summer season, coinciding together with his 18th birthday. Regardless of his younger age, he’s managed to compete for a spot within the beginning lineup alongside superstars like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes.
To date, the younger Argentine has turn into such a invaluable possibility for Xabi Alonso that the pinnacle coach has used him in 11 of Actual Madrid’s 12 matches this season throughout La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. In eight of these appearances, the winger began.
With such a vital match forward in opposition to Barcelona, Franco has a powerful probability to characteristic — whether or not from the opening whistle or coming off the bench. If he does play, Mastantuono will surpass Messi within the rating of the youngest gamers ever to seem in a Actual Madrid vs. Barcelona conflict.
Lamine Yamal is the youngest participant ever to seem in El Clasico.
The youngest gamers to seem in El Clasico
In October 2023, Lamine Yamal got here on as an alternative to Joao Cancelo and have become the youngest participant ever to seem in a Barcelona–Actual Madrid match, at simply 16 years and 108 days outdated. That file broke an 82-year mark held by Vicenç Martinez, who had performed at 16 years and 280 days.
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In that rating, Ansu Fati sits third, having debuted in El Clasico at 17 years and 48 days. Additional down the listing is the primary Actual Madrid participant to seem — none aside from Raul Gonzalez, who confronted Barcelona for the primary time in 1995 at 17 years and 198 days.
Mastantuono chasing Messi’s mark
Lionel Messi additionally seems on the listing of the youngest gamers to characteristic in a Clasico between Spain’s two giants. On November 19, 2005, he performed his first Clasico in opposition to Actual Madrid in a memorable 3–0 victory for Los Blaugranas, with two objectives from Ronaldinho and one from Samuel Eto’o. That day, Messi began at 18 years and 148 days outdated earlier than being changed by Andres Iniesta within the second half.
Franco Mastantuono has progressed even quicker than his Argentina teammate. If he steps onto the pitch for even a second this Sunday, he’ll transfer previous Messi within the all-time rating. The previous River Plate winger can be simply 18 years and 65 days outdated on the time of the match.
