Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono, 17, has confirmed his departure from River Plate after Real Madrid triggered his €45 million release clause. In an open letter and subsequent interviews, the midfielder called the move to the Spanish giants “a dream” and thanked “life itself” for the opportunity, describing Madrid as “the best club in the world.” Under the terms of the agreement, Mastantuono will sign a six-year contract and report to Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex once he turns 18 in mid-August, after completing River’s campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup. Manager Xabi Alonso has already praised the youngster’s potential. Mastantuono leaves Núñez with 64 senior appearances, 10 goals and seven assists, having helped River win the 2023 Supercopa Argentina. While insisting his ambition to win titles with River “has not disappeared—only changed order,” he said the chance to accelerate his development in Madrid was too rare to refuse.