Latest news with #Mastantuono
Ammon
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid was premature, says River boss Gallardo
Ammon News - Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. "It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. "Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. "We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing." Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. "All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said. "I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do." River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. "We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one," he said. "I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. "Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty."
News18
10 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
'Fans Don't Enjoy It': River Plate's Gallardo Laments Mastantuono's Move To Real Madrid
Last Updated: Marcelo Gallardo expressed disappointment over Franco Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid, and slandered the modern-day pratice of early transfers. Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid was premature, and an experience that River Plate fans haven't taken too well, stated coach Marcelo Gallardo. Gallardo acknowledged that losing Mastantuono would leave a significant void in his squad and their plans going forward, since he had built them around the 17-year-old. The midfielder progressed through the River academy and made his first-team debut in January 2024. Earlier this month, River Plate finalized a deal with the Spanish giants, reportedly worth around $45 million, for the highly rated midfielder. Mastantuono is Real Madrid's third signing this summer, following Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The Argentine manager expressed concern that Mastantuono needed more time to develop at River Plate, but conceded that early transfers have become a norm in today's football landscape. 'It's natural—we train players for the world. Everything is happening faster now; young players are leaving sooner, and I understand that's just the reality of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. 'Our sporting plan for the year included him. Now we'll have to adjust, because some players are simply very difficult to replace. 'We always knew Mastantuono would leave eventually, but it's never easy for the fans. The transfer market dictates the timing." Gallardo also shared that he's trying to help Mastantuono stay focused on the tournament despite the media attention surrounding his move. 'All I ask is for him to play freely and try to block out the noise, even though that's a tall order," he said. 'I don't bring up where he's going to live or anything like that. I just want him to do what he does best—play football." Following Saturday's match against the Mexican side in Pasadena, River Plate are set to face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday. (with inputs from Reuters)
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Gallardo: Mastantuono Left Too Early for Real Madrid Move
FRANCO Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. 'It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game,' Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. 'Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. 'We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing.' Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. 'All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult,' he said. 'I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do.' River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. 'We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one,' he said. 'I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. 'Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty.' Following Saturday's game against the Mexican team in Pasadena, River will face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Filipe Luis proud of Flamengo's resilience in win against Chelsea
FRANCO Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. 'It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game,' Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. 'Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. 'We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing.' Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. 'All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult,' he said. 'I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do.' River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. 'We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one,' he said. 'I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. 'Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty.' Following Saturday's game against the Mexican team in Pasadena, River will face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid was premature, says River boss Gallardo
Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around US$45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. "It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. "Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. "We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing." Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. "All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said. "I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do." River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. "We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one," he said. "I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. "Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty."
