Franco Mastantuono spoke to ‘Real Madrid TV’ after beating Levante 1-4 on the sixth day of La Liga. The Argentine striker, asked about comparisons with Lamine Yamal, congratulated him on his second place in the Ballon d’Or.
Franco Mastantuono said he was “happy” with the goal he scored in Real Madrid’s win over Levante because it was something he had been looking forward to for a long time. “It’s really nice to share my first goal in this shirt. I’d been looking forward to it for a long time and finally it happened, but the important thing is that the team keeps winning. We’re finding the form we want. I think we’re doing very well, there’s always room for improvement, but the team is solid,” he said in the mixed zone.
Although he acknowledged that he was looking for the goal, he said he was calm. “The striker wants to score, but I was calm about it. The important thing is that the team keeps winning and playing better and better, and we’re achieving that, so that makes me happy,‘ he said. “It always gives a footballer confidence, but the important thing is that the team wins and plays well because, this year, we’re going to be fighting for some very important things,” reiterated the Argentine.
Mastantuono said that after scoring the goal, he thought of his family: “My family comes to mind. They have had a big impact on me, they have supported me, they are in Argentina and I’m sure they are very happy. It’s for them and all the people who support me, who I always carry in my heart.” He also said that two friends were at the Ciutat de Valencia to watch the match on the sixth day of the league.
He also thanked manager Xabi Alonso for his confidence in him: “He has given me a lot of confidence since I arrived, and for a player, that’s a real boost. I’m sure it’s going to make me much better.” He also thanked his teammates for their support. “For me, it’s a pleasure to be in a dressing room like this, like the one I’m in in Argentina. Luckily, I get to be in two incredible dressing rooms with incredible players, but above all, people who make every day bearable and fun,” he said.
Finally, when asked about Lamine Yamal, he said: “I congratulate him on his second place in the Ballon d’Or, he’s a great player, I don’t have to say that. I try not to compare myself to anyone, to play for my team, which is what leads to individual success.”
