Real Madrid loanee Mastantuono admits World Cup absence hurt, feeling ‘very good’ in Italy

Real Madrid loanee Mastantuono admits World Cup absence hurt, feeling ‘very good’ in Italy Real Madrid loanee Franco Mastantuono is starting to showcase his true potential at Fiorentina following a slow start. Back in the Argentina national team in the current squad, the teenage attacker impressed in their 4-0 win over Bolivia. Following the game, the youngster took the opportunity to speak openly about one of the most difficult moments of last season: being left out of Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. World Cup disappointment Far from hiding his disappointment, Mastantuono admitted how much it hurt when he learned that he would not be among the 26 players selected for the tournament. Mastantuono impressed for Argentina against Bolivia. (Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images) “It is tough to miss out on the World Cup squad, but I have always supported my team-mates and Argentina so that they could do well. They had an incredible World Cup and made all of us Argentines proud,” the forward admitted, as quoted by MARCA . However, the Real Madrid loanee is now looking ahead. With a new chapter beginning with the Argentina national team, he believes he arrives in a much improved state and better prepared to establish himself in the squad. “A new process is beginning. I feel good and I can have an opportunity, but above all I want to work for the national team,” said the teenager. Discussing his loan move to Italy from Real Madrid , he added: “I feel very good since I went to Italy and changed my life a little.” Mastantuono is doing well at Fiorentina. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) The Scaloni effect One of the factors that has contributed most to his recent development has been the confidence shown by Lionel Scaloni. The Real Madrid starlet publicly thanked the Argentina manager for giving him freedom on the pitch and linked his good form to the change of scenery that came with his move to Italian football. “He gives me a lot of freedom to play and I am grateful to him for that. I have felt very good since I went to Italy and changed my life a little. I really enjoyed it,” he explained. So far in his spell in Italy, Mastantuono has played five Serie A matches, scoring three goals in the process.