Mastantuono makes a shocking statement at Bernabeu: "Messi is the best"

Half an hour. That's all it took for Franco Mastantuono to stir the Bernabeu waters.

The 17-year-old jewel from River Plate put on the white shirt for the first time, smiled for the cameras… and then lit the fuse. Asked who he considers the best player in the world, the Argentine didn't blink:

"Messi is the greatest. I'm Argentine, and for me he's the best."

The words echoed around the press room. Lionel Messi. The eternal Barcelona icon. And now, coming from the mouth of Real Madrid's latest signing.

But Mastantuono wasn't here to provoke - or so he says.

"Messi means a lot to Barcelona and to Argentines. But for me, Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. I want to leave my mark here and make the fans proud of me."

Madridistas have seen Argentines become legends here before - Di Stefano above them all. Mastantuono knows the history:

"My dream has always been to play for Real. I never saw Di Stefano play, but I've heard everything about him. Coming from River to Real is a privilege for any player."

As for what Madrid fans can expect, the left-footed attacker was direct:

"I usually play on the right, but I don't like talking about myself. I'd rather let my football speak. I'll give everything to make the fans happy."

The targets? All the trophies. But there's a personal ambition too:

"I want to play at the World Cup next year. First, I have to focus on Real Madrid. Then everything will fall into place."

The Bernabeu loves talent. It also loves boldness. Mastantuono has already shown both - and given the press something to feast on.