Franco Mastantuono shockingly breaks Real Madrid tradition in Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate – And his honesty may cost him dearly

When Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid’s latest teenage sensation, gave his own verdict during his unveiling, it sent ripples through the Bernabeu and beyond.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two names that have defined soccer’s modern era, inevitably dominate any debate over the greatest player of all time. But when Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid’s latest teenage sensation, gave his own verdict during his unveiling, it sent ripples through the Bernabeu and beyond.

The 18-year-old’s choice broke an unofficial Real Madrid tradition that certain sections of the fanbase may not easily forgive. On a day meant to be about excitement, opportunity, and celebration, the teenager’s honesty has become the headline.

For Mastantuono, August 14, 2025, was a milestone-filled day. It marked not only his official unveiling as a Whites player but also his 18th birthday. The Argentine midfielder, signed from River Plate in a deal worth around $73 million, was welcomed at the club’s Valdebebas training complex in the presence of his family, club president Florentino Perez, and members of the board.

Wearing the number 30 shirt, the same number he donned during his early professional days in Argentina, Mastantuono posed in the trophy room before addressing the media. His choice of shirt number, he explained, was deliberate: “I asked the president for it because it excites me; it’s a special number for me.”

Florentino Perez, in his introduction, was full of praise for Madrid’s new acquisition: “Today, one of the greatest talents to emerge in world soccer joins our club. Welcome, and thank you for wanting to be here with us.” The midfielder responded with gratitude and commitment: “On the pitch, you will have one more fan.”

The moment that broke the rule

It was at the very end of the press conference that Mastantuono made the remark now dominating headlines. Asked to name the greatest player in the world, the teenager didn’t hesitate: “For me, Messi is the best player in the world. I’m Argentinian… I didn’t watch others like Alfredo [Di Stefano], but I really look up to them.”

This was the breach of the unwritten Real Madrid rule: a long-standing, informal understanding that no Madrid player publicly crowns Lionel Messi over the club’s own icons, especially Cristiano Ronaldo. In the past, such comments have sparked backlash; in 2018, Federico Valverde even had to clarify a similar statement, assuring fans of his loyalty to Ronaldo.

Why it matters

While Mastantuono’s words reflect national pride and admiration for a fellow Argentine, the context cannot be ignored. Messi spent over two decades as the face of Barcelona, Madrid’s fiercest rival, and tormented Los Blancos with record-breaking performances.

Historically, Los Blancos players have avoided naming Messi as the outright best to maintain unity with fans and respect for club legends. Mastantuono’s honesty challenges that norm, signaling a generational shift where the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry is no longer tied as tightly to club loyalties.

Whether the young midfielder will face backlash — or be asked to “clarify” his stance — remains to be seen. For now, his unveiling will be remembered not just as the start of a promising career in Madrid, but as the day he openly defied one of the Bernabeu’s most sacred unwritten rules.