Franco Mastantuono emerged as one of the best prospects in the world, signing for Real Madrid. Although he seemed to be a regular for Argentina, he has not been included by head coach Lionel Scaloni, with no apparent injuries. After winning the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Scaloni decided to begin a reconstruction of Argentina‘s roster. While Lionel Messi and other players remain central figures, Ángel Di María and other players have left the sporting project. Because of this, Franco Mastantuono seemed to earn a place in the team, as he signed for Real Madrid and established as a promising talent. However, the 18-year-old star has been left out of the squad for the 2026 World Cup. Franco Mastantuono has been left out of Argentina’s roster for the 2026 World Cup due to tactical decisions. After not having playing time at Real Madrid, Lionel Scaloni has decided to bet other players. Even though he has played four games, he has never managed to impose as a starter, relegating him to a peripheral role. By prioritizing players with significant playing time, head coach has left him aside. Nico Paz emerges as the key player for Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Unlike Mastantuono, the 21-year-old star has been a crucial player for Como 1907 in Serie A. Not only does he stand out creatively, but he also provides a great deal of collective work, which is crucial for Scaloni. In addition, Giuliano Simeone has managed to become a key player on the right wing, leaving Franco without a place in the rotation. Franco Mastantuono faces early struggles at Real Madrid After arriving for €45M from River Plate, Xabi Alonso decided to strongly bet on Franco Mastantuono. Despite the presence of Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz, he earned a spot in the rotation, putting in good minutes. However, he suffered pubalgia that kept him out for several matches and removed him from the team. After the head coach’s departure, the 18-year-old star dropped out of the rotation under Álvaro Arbeloa, playing very few minutes. Franco Mastantuono of Argentina is challenged by Joel Ordoñez of Ecuador. With José Mourinho arriving as the new head coach, Mastantuono seems to have very little space in the rotation. Not only do Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham get ahead of him in the pecking order, but so does Brahim Díaz. Therefore, his future appears to be decided in pre-season. In case he fails to impress, he would be sent on loan, as he aims to continue developing professionally. Mastantuono may emerge as a key figure in Argentina’s future Even though Franco Mastantuono was left out of the 2026 World Cup, he remains one of the most promising players in Argentina. At just 18 years old, he still has serious chances of becoming part of the national team. With Lionel Messi close to retirement, he could emerge as one of the best solutions, as he has a similar profile, playing on the wing with a strong creative emphasis. With the 2028 Copa América just a few years away, Franco could be a key part of Argentina’s attack. However, he would need to go out on loan to a team where he can be a starter. In addition, he would need to gain more consistency in terms of fitness and more offensive contribution, as he has not managed to stand out in Argentina or at Real Madrid in this regard.
Argentina vs Algeria features a wealth of Serie A connections, headlined by Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, who starts alongside Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada in a formidable attacking trio for the ...
Milan has made one of the most significant coaching decisions of the summer by appointing Ruben Amorim as the club’s new head coach, creating fresh intrigue around the future direction of the Rossoneri and the role key players could have under the Portuguese tactician. While Christian Pulisic is focused on helping the United States at the 2026 World Cup, major developments have unfolded back in Italy. Milan has made one of the most significant coaching decisions of the summer by appointing Ruben Amorim as the club’s new head coach, creating fresh intrigue around the future direction of the Rossoneri and the role key players could have under the Portuguese tactician. The announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for Milan. After a disappointing end to the season, the club opted for sweeping changes behind the scenes, and Amorim now finds himself entrusted with restoring one of European soccer’s most historic institutions to the top level. Milan’s decision comes after a turbulent campaign that ended in frustration. Despite spending much of the Serie A season competing near the top of the table, a poor run during the closing weeks saw the club slip to fifth place and miss out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League. That collapse prompted significant changes throughout the organization. Massimiliano Allegri was dismissed, while several senior executives also departed as ownership deemed the season an unacceptable failure. The club’s American ownership group, RedBird Capital Partners, quickly identified Amorim as the coach capable of leading the next chapter. Welcoming our new head coach, Rúben Amorim ✍️ pic.twitter.com/N6JizMF9Fq— AC Milan (@acmilan) June 16, 2026 Amorim’s road back to the top The move to Milan represents a significant opportunity for Amorim. Before his brief and difficult spell at Manchester United, the Portuguese coach had established himself as one of Europe’s brightest managerial talents through his work at Sporting Lisbon. During his time in Lisbon, he built a reputation for developing young players, implementing a modern tactical system, and delivering major trophies. His tenure in England, however, failed to meet expectations. After being dismissed midway through the season, questions emerged about whether his reputation would recover. Milan believes the answer is yes. Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United. The Rossoneri are convinced that the coach who transformed Sporting remains one of Europe’s most promising tactical minds. At just 41 years old, Amorim now receives an opportunity to rebuild his standing on one of soccer’s biggest stages. How it could impact Christian Pulisic The most intriguing aspect of the appointment concerns what it could mean for Pulisic once his World Cup campaign concludes. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Amorim’s preferred tactical systems, particularly his 3-4-2-1 formation, appear ideally suited to many of Pulisic’s strengths. ,Rather than operating strictly as a traditional winger, the American thrives when given freedom to drift into central areas, combine between the lines, and attack spaces behind defenders. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan. ,According to tactical analysis from the Italian outlet, the Portuguese coach favors two attacking midfielders playing behind a central striker. Those roles require creativity, movement, intelligence, and pressing intensity. Pulisic checks every box. Reports in Italy have even suggested that an attacking midfield pairing featuring Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku could fit naturally within Amorim’s preferred structure, thanks to their ability to operate in half-spaces and influence games between defensive lines. For the USMNT star, the coaching change may offer an opportunity to become even more influential than he was under previous management.
Alongside Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, another familiar name continues to surface: Raphael Varane, whose absence from the squad has once again sparked conversation before the competition even begins. France heads into the 2026 World Cup with enormous expectations after reaching the final in two of the last three editions. Under Didier Deschamps, who will leave his position after the tournament, Les Bleus once again possess one of the deepest and most talented squads in international soccer. Alongside Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, another familiar name continues to surface: Raphael Varane, whose absence from the squad has once again sparked conversation before the competition even begins. The French national team completed its preparations with a 3-1 friendly victory over Northern Ireland, reinforcing confidence ahead of a difficult Group I campaign against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. With Kylian Mbappe captaining the side and an attack overflowing with creativity, France is widely considered one of the favorites to lift the trophy. Deschamps has assembled a squad packed with elite-level talent across every position. Real Madrid superstar Mbappe remains the face of the national team, while Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele enters the tournament in sensational form after another outstanding campaign. The tactical evolution of the French side has also become one of the major talking points before the World Cup. Following criticism after Euro 2024, Deschamps shifted toward a more fluid 4-2-3-1 system, allowing creative players greater freedom in advanced areas while maintaining defensive balance. James Rodríguez of Colombia is challenged by Maxence Lacroix of France. Les Bleus’ defensive solidity has remained impressive as well. The side conceded only four goals during qualifying, showcasing the balance between attacking brilliance and tactical discipline that has defined Deschamps’ tenure. The reason for Raphael Varane’s absence While France’s current squad is filled with emerging stars, many supporters have continued asking the same question ahead of the World Cup: why is Raphael Varane missing? The answer traces back several years before the tournament itself. Varane initially stepped away from international soccer in February 2023, shortly after France’s heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final. The defender explained that the physical and mental demands of elite soccer had played a significant role in his decision. At the time, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender had already accumulated 93 appearances for France, winning the 2018 World Cup and establishing himself as one of the greatest defenders in the nation’s history. Varane hoped for fresh start in Italy, but everything changed almost instantly Although Varane retired from international soccer first, he continued playing at club level until the summer of 2024. After leaving Manchester United, he signed for Serie A side Como in what many believed would be a fresh chapter in his career. However, disaster struck almost immediately. Just minutes into his competitive debut for Como, Varane suffered a serious knee injury that ultimately changed the course of his future. The injury ultimately convinced the defender to retire completely from professional soccer in September 2024 at only 31 years old. Reports later confirmed that he transitioned into a non-playing role within Como following his retirement. Raphael Varane of France looks on Huge legacy behind Varane’s absence from the 2026 World Cup represents the end of an era for France’s defence. For more than a decade, he formed the backbone of Les Bleus alongside players such as Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba. His composure, positioning, and leadership played a major role in France’s triumph at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He also helped the national team reach another final in Qatar four years later, narrowly missing out on a se
