Since joining Real Madrid, Franco Mastantuono has frequently been compared to Lamine Yamal because of his playing style and the fact that Yamal plays for Barcelona, Madrid’s archrival. Some have also drawn parallels to Lionel Messi, noting that the young star is left-footed like the Inter Miami captain.

The comparisons gained even more attention during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying loss to Ecuador, when Mastantuono wore the iconic No. 10 jersey left vacant by Messi, who did not travel for the match.

Speaking to the media, Leonardo Balerdi, captain of Olympique de Marseille and Mastantuono’s teammate on the Argentina national team, put the comparisons in perspective. He emphasized that Messi is one of a kind and that no one else will match him.

“Franco is phenomenal. You always want h

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