Khaberni - Real Madrid player Franco Mastantonio (18 years old) refused to be compared to his fellow Argentinian legend Lionel Messi, following his standout performance in Real Madrid's crushing 6-1 victory over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored one of the goals.
After the match, Mastantonio expressed that he accepts and understands criticisms, explaining that since his childhood he has been accustomed to hearing divergent views about his level; while some called him the new Messi, others considered him a disaster and the worst deal in the club’s history.
The player emphasized that he does not see himself as Messi and will not be like him, nor does he believe he is the worst deal in Real Madrid's history, confirming that he works daily to maintain his physical readiness and to become the best version of himself.
He also mentioned that criticism can be painful when it is issued with bad intentions, but ultimately it is part of football, and he sees fair criticism as natural for players who belong to the elite of the game.
Mastantonio has become the second youngest Argentine player to score a goal in the history of the UEFA Champions League at the age of 18 years and 5 months, just one month older than Messi was.
