""It would be a dream," he stated. "I'm going to work hard to get to the 2026 World Cup. I'm taking it step by step. I can play there at 18; that would be an incredible dream. I feel very comfortable with the group. It's my goal to make it to the World Cup.""
""Using the No. 10 is incredible," Mastantuono said. "As I always say, wearing Leo's 10, a number that Maradona also wore, is the best. I didn't expect it; it was something unique. Every time I see a photo of me wearing that shirt, I get very emotional. I went into the locker room, went to my No. 21 locker, and saw my name next to Julián [Álvarez No. 9], and I thought they were messing with me. It was a unique moment.""
Franco Mastantuono is ascending into elite professional soccer with Real Madrid and the Argentina national team while targeting the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni has integrated him into recent CONMEBOL qualifying rosters, and Mastantuono has appeared in three matches, earning a first start in a 1-0 win over Chile on June 5. With Lionel Messi absent for the September match against Ecuador, Mastantuono wore the No. 10 shirt and described the experience as incredibly emotional. He has a tattoo commemorating the 2022 World Cup final and says he feels comfortable with the squad and will work step by step toward the 2026 tournament.
Read at ESPN.com
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