August 21, (THEWILL) — Real Madrid’s decision to register Franco Mastantuono as a Real Madrid Castilla player while featuring him in La Liga matches has sparked controversy, with critics accusing the club of exploiting regulatory loopholes. The 18-year-old Argentine, signed for €63.2 million from River Plate, debuted in the first team’s season opener against Osasuna, despite wearing the number 30 shirt typically reserved for reserve squad members. The move, designed to preserve a first-team registration slot, has drawn accusations of rule manipulation from football governance bodies.
Miguel Galán, president of the National Training Centre for Football Coaches, condemned the strategy as an act of “bad faith,” arguing that Mastantuono’s inclusion in first-team fixtures without a standard squad number undermines La Liga’s registration framework. Under current rules, players under 23 registered with a club’s B team may appear for the senior side without occupying a first-team slot—provided they also participate in reserve team activities. Galán warned that future opponents could challenge Mastantuono’s eligibility if Real Madrid fail to integrate him into Castilla matches, risking potential sanctions.
The club’s approach mirrors previous cases involving Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, both of whom initially played for Castilla before transitioning permanently to the senior squad. While La Liga’s regulations permit flexibility for young talents, Galán insists Real Madrid’s interpretation stretches the spirit of the law. Osasuna opted against filing a complaint after last weekend’s fixture, but the precedent sets a contentious tone for upcoming encounters.
Mastantuono’s 68th-minute substitution for Brahim Díaz marked his competitive bow, yet his absence from Castilla’s lineup raises questions about compliance. La Liga’s squad numbering system mandates first-team players adopt numbers between one and 25 after 10 appearances, a threshold Mastantuono could soon reach. Should he exceed this limit without a number change, or without genuine Castilla involvement, the club may face formal objections from rivals or governing bodies.
Yet, Real Madrid’s strategy reflects a broader trend among elite clubs seeking to maximise squad depth within financial fair play constraints. However, the tactic risks backlash if perceived as a deliberate circumvention of competition integrity.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
