Di Stéfano: The First Bridge Between River and Madrid

Born into a River Plate-loving family, Alfredo Di Stéfano idolized the iconic attacking line known as "La Máquina." At just 7 years old, he became a club member and joined the youth ranks in 1944. After a debut with the first team in 1945, a loan to Huracán in 1946, and a triumphant return in 1947, he quickly became a legend. That year, he was the league’s top scorer with 27 goals in 30 matches, won the South American Championship with Argentina, and earned his famous nickname “La Saeta Rubia.”

His impact was such that he paved the way for 13 more players to represent both clubs, including Gonzalo Higuaín, Javier Saviola, and Santiago Solari. Di Stéfano’s influence at Real Madrid was historic: five European Cups, two Ballon d'Or awards, and 308 goals — making him the fourth all-time top scorer in the club's history.

Mastantuono: The Newest Promise

Franco Mastantuono, only 16, becomes the fifth player developed in River Plate’s academy to join Real Madrid, following in the footsteps of Di Stéfano, Saviola, and Higuaín. His path gained momentum after scoring a stunning free-kick to win the Superclásico against Boca Juniors in front of a record 85,018 fans at the Monumental, a symbolic number honoring River Plate’s 2018 Libertadores triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In 2025, Mastantuono leads all Argentine U23 players in goal contributions with 7 goals and 4 assists. On June 5, he became the youngest player ever to debut in an official match for the Argentina national team, in their 1–0 win over Chile.

The River–Madrid Relationship Thrives

The deal between River Plate and Real Madrid, valued at €45 million, makes Mastantuono the most expensive transfer in the Argentine club’s history. This reflects not only his promise but also the strong institutional ties between both teams. In March 2025, River Plate executives visited the Bernabéu, presenting a jersey to Florentino Pérez.

Under Jorge Brito, River Plate has recorded four of its seven biggest sales in the last four years. The club leads Latin American teams in total transfer income and is the top non-European exporter of talent to major leagues — with 51 players since 2005, according to the CIES.

This is more than a transfer. It’s the continuation of a legacy, a bond between two footballing giants that stretches from Di Stéfano to Mastantuono, with history still in the making.