'Fantastic present, incredible future' - Xabi Alonso sings the praises of Real Madrid-bound Franco Mastantuono as Spanish champions prepare for River Plate wonderkid's arrival after Club World Cup

New Madrid head coach Alonso heaped praise on the club's latest South American teenage signing Mastantuono, who will be joining Los Blancos after the conclusion of the Club World Cup. Alonso revealed that he was "impressed by his maturity" and tipped the Argentine to have an "incredible future", while also adding that the young midfielder will be an important piece of his puzzle.

Mastantuono is believed to have been among the biggest talents to have emerged from Argentina in the past decade. Indeed, the 17-year-old has already shown that he is not afraid of the big occasions, scoring a sensational free-kick in the Superclasico against rivals Boca Juniors back in April. His performances saw him linked to Real Madrid, but it was Paris Saint-Germain who were closing in on acquiring the youngster's services. However, Madrid stepped up their pursuit and signed the player who had time and again reiterated his desire to play for the Royal Whites. It had been claimed that chief scout Juni Calafat traveled to Buenos Aires to personally meet with the player's family and agents, while it was Mastantuono's phone call with Alonso that really convinced the Millonarios wonderkid of his role at Madrid.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Madrid's Club World Cup opener, Alonso said: "Regarding Franco... we're happy, because he's a kid with a fantastic present and an incredible future. His maturity translates off the pitch. I was impressed by the conversations I had with him: by his ambition and maturity. Things don't happen by chance. We're following him at River Plate, where he's taking steps that have led him to Real Madrid. He'll be very important."

Mastantuono played the full 90 minutes in River Plate's 3-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in their opening game of the Club World Cup. The Argentine international will next be seen in action on Sunday, June 22, when they meet Mexican side Monterrey, where Madrid legend Sergio Ramos currently plies his trade.