The 16-year-old youth scored the final 2-1 against Libertad of Paraguay and became the youngest River player to score in the Copa Libertadores. He surpassed Saviola and Cavenaghi.
April 25, 2024, 07:41 a.m.
The 16-year-old youth scored the final 2-1 against Libertad of Paraguay and became the youngest River player to score in the Copa Libertadores. He surpassed Saviola and Cavenaghi. (AFP Photos / River Instagram)
Franco Mastantuono made history in River, but Martín Demichelis was cautious to talk about the youth’s performance in the 2-1 victory against Libertad of Paraguay, which left Millonario at the top of his group in the Copa Libertadores.
With his goal, the 16-year-old became the youngest River player to score in the Copa Libertadores, surpassing Javier Saviola and Fernando Cavenaghi. Attentive to this, Demichelis asked not to confuse the driver and noted that he “was erratic.”
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“Let’s not confuse him, he has to continue learning, today he was very erratic, I speak honestly, he scored the goal and gave us the three points but he has to continue learning,” said the coach at a press conference.
The midfielder made history at River. (Photo: X/@RiverPlate)
Mastantuono entered in the second half to replace Diablito Etcheverry, who was left without playing the second half again. This same thing had happened in the Superclásico, something that angered the fans, who protested on social networks with sharp comments and dozens of memes.
In previous press conferences, Demichelis explained that it is a matter of the physique of the Chaco soccer player and it is not a “whim.”
Franco Mastantuono’s record in River
Mastantuono surpassed Javier Saviola and Fernando Cavenaghi as the youngest players to score a goal with River in the Copa Libertadores. At 80 minutes of the game, the left-handed shot crossed with his less capable leg and after a deflection, the ball went next to the Paraguayan goalkeeper’s right post.
“El Conejo” scored his first goal against Vélez at 17 years and 55 days old, while “El Cavegol” scored it against Guaraní at 17 years and 166 days old. For his part, the midfielder scored his first goal in Libertadores at 16 years and 255 days old.
Mastantuono broke an incredible record against Libertad of Paraguay. (Photo: Instagram/@libertadores)
The offensive midfielder played a total of 11 games in River’s Primera and, in addition to today, he had scored a goal against Excursionistas, for the Argentine Cup.
Months ago, the left-hander had also become the young player with the highest termination clause in Argentine football: the club that wants him must pay 45 million euros or 50, if it is in the last ten days of the pass market.
On the other hand, there was an agreement so that in January 2025 the link would be extended until December 2027. It is worth clarifying that Mastantuono will turn 18 on August 14, 2025 and only then will he be able to leave the country to play for another team.
2024-04-25 10:41:35
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