Messi’s Barcelona-Real Madrid record clashes under threat from Argentine teammate Mastantuono

This Sunday the first Clasico of the 2025-2026 season will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The match between Real Madrid And Barcelona offers no shortage of storylines – from the battle for first place to The League rankings for the long-awaited showdown between Lamine Yamal And Kylian Mbappe. However, Franco Mastantuono And Lionel Messiteammates from the Argentina national team, will also be in the spotlight.

Mastantuono has quickly established himself at Real Madrid since his arrival River plate this summer, coinciding with his 18th birthday. Despite his young age, he has managed to compete alongside superstars like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, And Rodrygo goes.

So far, the young Argentinian has become a valuable option Xabi Alonso that the head coach has used him in 11 of these games Real Madrid‘s twelve games this season in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. The winger started in eight of those appearances.

With such a crucial match ahead BarcelonaFranco has a great chance to play, whether it is from the opening whistle or from the bench. When he plays, Mastantuono will overtake Messi as the youngest player ever to play in a Real Madrid-Barcelona match.

The youngest players to appear in El Clasico

In October 2023, Lamine Yamal came on as a substitute for Joao Cancelo and became the youngest player ever to play in a Barcelona-Real Madrid match, just 16 years and 108 days old. That record broke a milestone of 82 years Vincent Martinezwho had played at 16 years and 280 days.

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In that ranking Ansu Fati is third and made his debut in El Clasico at 17 years and 48 days. Further down the list is the first Real Madrid player to appear – none other than Raul Gonzalezwho faced Barcelona for the first time in 1995 after 17 years and 198 days.

Mastantuono chases Messi’s goal

Lionel Messi also appears on the list of the youngest players to feature in a Clasico between the two Spanish giants. On 19 November 2005, he played his first Clasico against Real Madrid in a memorable 3–0 win for Los Blaugranas, with two goals from Ronaldinho and one of Samuel Eto’o. That day, Messi started at 18 years and 148 days old before being replaced by Andres Iniesta in the second half.

Franco Mastantuono has made even faster progress than his Argentinian teammate. If he takes the field for even a moment this Sunday, he will pass Messi in the all-time rankings. The former River Plate winger will be just 18 years and 65 days old at the time of the match.