Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono claims he has “never seen a player like Jude Bellingham” and described the England international as “amazing”.
Mastantuono scored his first goal for Madrid in last night’s 4-1 win at Levante before making way in a double substitution with 19 minutes to go that saw Bellingham come on as he continues his comeback from shoulder surgery.
The Argentina midfielder only joined Madrid in August but has already been blown away by the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Asked about Bellingham, the 18-year-old told AS: “Amazing player. Bellingham is amazing, incredible. A player who impressed me, a great person and a unique soccer player. Honestly, I say that I have never seen a player like him: a lot of presence on the field. I hope he can play as soon as possible [from the start], because it will help us a lot.
“His calmness and grit make him a different player.”
Mastantuono loving life at Real Madrid
Mastantuono was expected to be introduced slowly into the Madrid first team given his age and his big move from River Plate, but he has been a regular member of the squad under Xabi Alonso.
He says he has found the adaptation easier due to the normality of the people around him.
“Above all, the humility of my colleagues, what good people they are,” he said when asked what had surprised him most about life at Madrid.
“Carvajal has won six Champions Leagues and is an incredible person, with a lot of humility, a leader. The same with Kylian [Mbappe], Vinicius, Jude… they are players who transmit a lot of humility, who support me and the truth is that that is very important for all team-mates.
“It is not easy to go to a new club, to a new life… in which you must adapt after leaving family. But thanks to them and this big club that makes you feel at home, I am very comfortable. That’s why it may seem like I’ve been here longer.”
Mastantuono pleased to get off the mark
Mastantuono’s goal came after he surged into the box and fired into the roof of the net following a pass from Vinicius Jr.
He said: “It was not the main thing [when compared to the result], but it was a step to take to continue gaining confidence, strengthening myself in this team that is getting better and better. It’s a great joy.”
The win extended Madrid’s 100 per cent start in La Liga to six games and they now sit five points clear of Barcelona, who play Oviedo tomorrow night.
