\n<\/p>\n
Waiting to demonstrate his qualities in Spain, the teenager, with one senior cap for Argentina, has already made an impression in his native land.<\/p>\n
“Franco’s passage through our club left an indelible mark.” Roberto Binzuna, the president of Cemento Armado, where Mastantuono earned his stripes before joining River, tells BBC Sport. <\/p>\n
“Only time will decide how long it lives on in our memory.<\/p>\n
“He’s a sensational young man, with outstanding human and sporting characteristics, distinctive in whatever sport he played \u2013 an exceptional tennis player and an even better footballer.<\/p>\n
“His presence always stands out over the other players, even the older ones, and he has an incredible shot on him.”<\/p>\n
Indeed, Mastantuono’s ability to strike the ball from range has caught the eye. Most notable was his free-kick against Superclasico rivals Boca Juniors in April, swept into the top corner from about 30 yards.<\/p>\n
That aside, the left-footer is agile, quickly shifting the ball one way and the other when dribbling. Such has been evident from the start.<\/p>\n
“I remember he was restless behind the ball. But what I saw set him apart,” says Marcelo Olariaga, the vice president of Club Atletico River Plate Azuleno, Mastantuono’s first home. <\/p>\n
“Compared to the rest, he ran very lightly with the ball. But he always had it tied to his feet.”<\/p>\n
Although the teenager often starts on the right wing, much of his impact comes in central positions.<\/p>\n