Chelsea could be set to sign another incredible talent in River Plate youngster Franco Mastantuono.
The Blues are already set to welcome Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez to Stamford Bridge this summer, and in an ideal world they would love for Mastantuono to join them.
It has already been reported that Chelsea are interested in signing Mastantuono, and after what he did against Boca Juniors on Sunday, it is not hard to see why.
Following River Plate’s 2-1 win against their fierce rivals, comparisons between the young attacker and Lionel Messi are now being made.
Franco Mastantuono compared to Lionel Messi after stunning free-kick
Mastantuono played a huge role in River Plate’s victory over Boca, scoring a terrific free-kick past former Argentina international Agustin Marchesin.
It amazed the Argentine media, with TyC Sports describing the 17-year-old’s goal as a “work of art”.
Another Argentine outlet even compared Mastantuono’s strike to one free-kick that Messi scored for his country 11 years ago.
Following his goal in the Superclasico, La Nacion wrote: “On June 25, 2014, Argentina faced Nigeria at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre. Forty-five minutes into the first half, Angel Di Maria was fouled near the penalty area, and without hesitation, Messi took responsibility for the free kick.
“The sequence played out similarly to Mastantuono’s performance: a left-footed shot, a ball over the wall, and an unreachable shot into the top right corner of the goal.“
By netting against Boca, Mastantuono set a record. He is now the youngest player in River Plate’s history to score against their fierce rivals.
Like Mastantuono, Estevao has also been compared to Messi, even being given the nickname “Messinho”. Estevao had to be stretchered off in Palmeiras’ victory over Bolivar last week, but it is nothing for Chelsea fans to worry about, with the Brazilian struggling with the altitude on the day rather than picking up an actual injury.
Chelsea nearly signed Lionel Messi
A long time ago, Chelsea almost landed the real thing, the actual Lionel Messi and when he was still at the top of his game.
Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio revealed in his book Grand Hotel Calciomercato that Chelsea came close to signing Messi in 2014.
For various reasons, though, it did not happen, but perhaps Mastantuono or Estevao could end up being the next Messi at Chelsea. No pressure.
