* Mastantuono’s goal
Was Franco Mastantuonoone of the jewels of the Inferiors of River Platethe one who gave him the the victory for Martín Demichelis’ team 2-1 against Libertad of Paraguay by Group H of the Libertadores Cup. The 16-year-old boy broke a new record and He is the youngest footballer to score a goal for the millionaire team in the continent’s main tournament.
In a complicated meeting in which River Plate It was difficult for him to get the lead again, at 81 minutes the young man from Azul appeared, who with At 16 years, 8 months and 10 days, he is the youngest player to score in the Copa Libertadores with the Band’s jacket. He surpassed Javier Pedro Saviola (17, two months and 13 days).
“Today the team needed the victory and I am very happy about that,” Franco said after the game. Regarding his new record, he indicated that “they are details but I am very happy about it.” Although “we needed victory again and take the three points on a difficult field and against a very tough opponent.” Regarding his goal, he maintained that “I entered a complicated game and I couldn’t think much. “Happy because we won and because River remains undefeated in the Copa Libertadores.”
The attacking midfielder born on August 14, 2007 played a total of 11 games in River’s Primera and, in addition to today’s, he had scored a goal: against Hikersby Argentine Cupin the 3 to 0 on February 7 on the court of Columbus of Santa Fe. That night He became the youngest player to celebrate an official goal in River (16 years, 5 months and 24 days) ahead of Saviola himself (16 years, 10 months and 7 days).
* The testimony of the youth
The last match of Mastantuono with the main squad had been the friendly that River lost 4 to 0 against Independent Rivadavia, in Mendoza, on March 22. That night, the youth suffered a strain in his right rectus femoris and his return to the fields took place on the 4th of this month, when the Reserve of River beat Boca 4 to 1 in the Superclásico, in Ezeiza.
Although it may sound unlikely, Mastantuono He debuted earlier in the First Division than in the Reserve. He first jumped directly from the Seventh to the Fifth Division. And last year, from Fifth to First, so that win in the Reserve Superclásico was his debut and his only match in that category.
In view of Nationalalso for the Cup, Demichelis He had brought him back to the substitute bench after twenty days of absence with the main team. But he had to wait until the night of Asunción to jump back onto the pitch and also be key. He entered through Diablito Echeverri and, After a speed combination, he received from Facundo Colidio, stepped on the ball and with a low and cross right hand he resolved the dispute.
The youth team is one of the jewels of the Inferiors of River Plate together Claudio Echeverri, Agustín Ruberto and Ian Subiabre. His skill, change of pace and excellent left-footed punch increased his value, something that was enhanced by his young age. That is why the club renewed his contract until December 2026. In addition, the attacking midfielder now has the highest exit clause in Argentine football: it amounts to 45 million euros and will rise to 50 at the edge of the transfer window. Outperforms own Ruberto and Rodrigo Villagrathe highest on the team so far, and is at the top of the Professional League.
