Real Madrid’s young talent Franco Mastantuono is facing an anxious few days as he may be left out of Argentina’s final World Cup squad. Although the teenager has joined the national team in excellent physical condition, coach Lionel Scaloni might decide to omit him before Sunday’s deadline purely for tactical reasons.

Reports suggest that the 18-year-old forward, who joined the Argentina camp at the Lionel Messi training facility in Buenos Aires, is in danger of missing out on selection. After a challenging first season at Real Madrid in which he featured 23 times, Mastantuono’s fitness has not been in question. However, his inclusion in the final list remains uncertain, with the decision likely to rest on Scaloni’s tactical preferences rather than any injury issues.

The Argentina coach and his staff are currently assessing every player in the preliminary squad ahead of the final cut. Speaking about the selection process, Scaloni commented, “We still have some doubts that we’ll resolve in the coming days.”

He further clarified that the main criterion for the final squad selection would be the players’ form and readiness, stressing that “the players’ performance, that they arrive in top form” is what matters most. This means that if Mastantuono is left out, it will be entirely due to tactical considerations.

Within the Argentine Football Association, there is a split of opinion regarding the youngster’s immediate role in the national team setup. Mastantuono is reportedly among the backup options alongside Emi Buendia, Matias Soule, and Agustin Giay, waiting to see if any injuries open up a spot in the final lineup.

His hopes of making the tournament largely depend on the fitness outcomes of Nahuel Molina, Nico Gonzalez, and Gonzalo Montiel, all of whom are undergoing assessments for existing injuries. Should any of them fail their fitness tests, new opportunities could arise for Mastantuono before Scaloni confirms the final squad. The defending champions are keen to ensure their squad is fully fit before they begin their World Cup title defence in Group J against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.