On loan Real Madrid star breaks Lionel Messi’s long-standing record

Franco Mastantuono’s time at Real Madrid was anything but memorable as he suffered with poor form and fitness and never really got going as many expected him to.

The youngster thus left the club in the summer transfer window, just one season into his Real Madrid stint, and is currently on loan at Fiorentina for one season.

Los Blancos, meanwhile, have brought in Yan Diomande as a record signing to strengthen the left flank – the same position Mastantuono used to play while at the club.

A special record broken

Last night, Mastantuono started Fiorentina’s Serie A clash against Venezia which ended a 4-1 win for his side, and it was the young Argentine who played the pioneering role.

Lionel Messi held the record for decades. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

The teenage star scored thrice for his side on the night, netting a wonderful hat-trick and becoming the youngest hat-trick scorer in Fiorentina history.

A bigger and more special record that he broke on the night, however, was that of Lionel Messi.

Earlier in the night, the Barcelona legend was the youngest Argentine player to score a hat-trick in Europe’s top five leagues at 19 years and 259 days.

Mastantuono broke that last night, aged just 19 years and 28 days and is now the youngest player from his nation with a top-tier hat-trick in the top five leagues.

Real Madrid keep a watch

With Mastantuono only out on loan and still contractually bound to Real Madrid, it is clear that Los Blancos will be monitoring the player’s performances and progress closely in the coming months to make a decision on his future.

Franco Mastantuono scored a hat-trick for Fiorentina. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

It appears difficult to see the Argentine star back in Real Madrid’s dynamics given the serious competition for the position he plays in.

After all, Arda Guler, Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz are already competing for the spot, and Rodrygo’s arrival will only intensify that competition.

Yet, it is clear that Real Madrid will not turn a blind eye towards a player they invested so heavily in just last summer.

If the youngster can keep up performances like last night, he will put serious pressure on the club to sign him back.