Sometimes, football is about more than money. Just ask Franco Mastantuono, the teenage sensation from Argentina who has officially signed with Real Madrid until 2031. According to OkDiario, Mastantuono turned down a staggering offer from Paris Saint-Germain: €50 million net over five years, or €10 million per season.

But the message from the player was crystal clear — his only destination was the Santiago Bernabéu.

Despite interest from the Premier League and a strong push by PSG’s financial power, Mastantuono told his representatives that the only offer he would entertain was from Real Madrid. That statement reshaped the transfer narrative. Initially, Real Madrid had paused the operation as outside interest grew. But the player’s firm stance — "Madrid or nothing" — reignited the deal.

Once that message reached Valdebebas, things moved quickly.

His agent, former footballer Augusto Fernández, reconnected with Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso played a vital role, speaking directly with Mastantuono and convincing him that now was the right time to join the club and start integrating into its culture. The teenager was so committed that he even withdrew from River Plate’s Copa Libertadores campaign to focus on his future in Madrid.

The final push came from the trusted trio leading Real Madrid’s transfer operations: Florentino Pérez, José Ángel Sánchez, and Juni Calafat. Calafat, the club’s chief scout and architect behind many successful South American signings, traveled to Buenos Aires. There, he closed the deal by activating Mastantuono’s €45 million release clause. He returned to Spain with a verbal agreement that has now become official.

Franco Mastantuono is a Madridista, not because of the money, but because of the dream.

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