If someone compares you to Yamal, you usually pale in comparison. If they even compare you to Messi, the joke speaks for itself. Those who decide to hype Mastantuono are actually doing him a disservice. Mostly Madridistas, because as things stand, the gap in talent between the two in any comparison is simply vast.
Another game has passed, and after the match against Getafe, Xabi Alonso's "favorite" felt colder than the cold rain falling on the pitch. Why the harsh standards for Real Madrid players have vanished when it comes to Mastantuono is a puzzle with no answer. The jokes about his name are more impressive than what he has shown on the pitch so far.
He has talent, that's clear. At 18, he's a good prospect, but he's far from being comparable to top stars. Interestingly, since his arrival, he has been playing at a lackluster pace. This is striking because, as an 18-year-old, he should show the composure and drive that Yamal has displayed week after week to prove himself—Yamal has been at the top since he was 16, which is high praise and hard to replicate.
Mastantuono doesn't even have basic statistical support, yet he is deeply favored by Alonso. With Bellingham's return and the need to reconfigure the lineup, it remains to be seen how long the coach will tolerate him on the pitch. In the game against Getafe, he was the first to be substituted to allow Rodrygo to return to the right flank, and Rodrygo is clearly stronger than him in all aspects except "spirit of sacrifice".
Real Madrid first tried to promote Endrick as a rival to Yamal, but now Endrick can only watch from the stands. Now it's Mastantuono being hyped like this—he gets more playing time but shows less. The story continues…
