Barcelona cautious with 19-year-old summer arrival amid Franco Mastantuono registration doubts

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: A detailed view of the corner flag prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 28, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are often at odds with one another. However, the registration of one of the latter’s summer signings has created intrigue within the Catalan club. The case in question concerns Argentinian wonderkid Franco Mastantuono and the way he was officially registered.

Despite being brought in to strengthen the first team, Los Blancos opted to register him with a reserve-team number. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially since La Liga regulations do not permit clubs to register players in that manner if they are expected to feature regularly for the first team.

Barcelona prefers to be as cautious as possible

Barcelona Summer Signings Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji Posing with the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy.
Photo Courtesy: The official website of FC Barcelona

That is why, according to SPORT, Barça is quite invested in this development and wants to keep an eye on it. Apparently, this particular situation could have an impact on the club’s own registration-related decision concerning Roony Bardghji.

Knowing that he will be playing primarily for Hansi Flick’s first team, Barça is avoiding the possibility of registering him with the reserve team. That is why the player is yet to be registered, and the report claims that even La Liga has recommended that the Catalans should register him as a first-team player.

Bardghji’s registration remains a priority

Furthermore, given that the club is aware of the kind of complications that Real Madrid could run into, they wish to avoid similar issues. For that reason, Barça would prefer to play it safe and eventually register Bardghji with the first team as a priority, even if it does take a little more time.

Tags FC Barcelona Franco Mastantuono Roony Bardghji