Franco Mastantuono Reveals How Alvaro Arbeloa Has Improved Real Madrid

Franco Mastantuono has nothing but words of praise for new Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa as he opens up on how he has improved the team.

The €45 million ($53.8 million) summer signing seems to have regained his form under Arbeloa, with two goals scored. He has doubled his tally from Alonso’s tenure in 13 fewer games, and admitted Arbeloa has giving him more confidence.

Mastantuono noted that he is “totally grateful” to the new manager for allowing him to “play more freely.”

“Álvaro and his entire coaching staff instilled a lot of confidence in me, which I think is fundamental for a player,” he told DSports. “They gave me a lot of confidence, they showed it to me, and that’s great for me. I’m playing more freely because of it. I’m totally grateful to this coaching staff for that.

“Also to Xabi and his staff; they trusted me to be here, but well, Álvaro is a great coach who is helping us a lot. I think that’s how we’re going to achieve the goals we have in mind.”

Franco Mastantuono during Real Madrid’s  LaLiga match against Villarreal CF. (Photo by Maria Jose Segovia / DeFodi Images) (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

When Mastantuono joined Madrid last summer, he was eager to credit Alonso for the role played in encouraging him to move to the Bernabéu. Paris Saint-Germain wanted the 18-year-old, but Madrid flexed their muscles and got a deal done instead.

Mastantuono started the season on a high, he was on the lineup for four of Madrid’s first six La Liga games and the opening two Champions League fixtures.

During that moment, he became Madrid’s fourth-youngest goalscorer ever and breaking Endrick’s record for the youngest player to start for the club in Europe.

However, things fall apart for the Argentina international as a mixture of poor form and injury sent him back to the bench until Alonso’s departure midway through January.

Mastantuono has now begin a new era under Arbeloa and will be eager to impress the Spanish tactician.

In the recent 2–0 win over Villarreal, which Mastantuono started, the 18-year-old looked back to his best, and his effort on both sides of the ball really stood out.

He recorded his first two interceptions of the season and added five tackles for good measure, sacrificing himself for the good of the team.