Real Madrid Bound River Plate Star Not Afraid Of Inter Milan: ‘They're The Strongest Team In The Group, But We Want To Win'
Real Madrid Bound River Plate Star Not Afraid Of Inter Milan: 'They're The Strongest Team In The Group, But We Want To Win'
Franco Mastantuono says Inter Milan are the strongest team in their FIFA Club World Cup group, but that River Plate still want to win.
The 19-year-old spoke ahead of this week's match, via FCInterNews.
Advertisement
Inter Milan and River Plate face off in their last match of the Club World Cup group stage this week.
The two teams have the same record thus far. Both have beaten Urawa Red Diamonds, and both have drawn with Monterrey.
Therefore, there is everything to play for in Thursday's match. Neither side are guaranteed to go through to the round of sixteen.
A win in the last match of the group would guarantee progression to the knockout rounds in top spot, however.
Franco Mastantuono: 'Inter Strongest In The Group, But River Plate Want To Win'
LA PLATA, ARGENTINA – APRIL 18: Franco Mastantuono of River Plate celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Torneo Apertura Betano 2025 Group B match between Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and River Plate at Juan Carmelo Zerillo Stadium on April 18, 2025 in La Plata, Argentina. (Photo by)
River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono – who will join Real Madrid this summer – gave his thoughts ahead of next week's match.
Advertisement
'We'll be facing the best team in the group,' said the Argentine.
'But our goal is still clear. We want to win.'
'Playing for River means always going out onto the pitch to take the three points,' Mastantuono declared.
'We can't allow ourselves to settle for anything. It will be a tough match, but we know what we have to do.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
35 minutes ago
- New York Times
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger allegedly racially abused by Pachuca's Gustavo Cabral at Club World Cup
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was allegedly racially abused by Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral during Sunday's Club World Cup group stage fixture. Rudiger, 32, alerted referee Ramon Abatti following the alleged comment in stoppage time of Madrid's 3-1 victory in Charlotte and the match official subsequently performed FIFA's protocol gesture to signal alleged racist abuse. Advertisement Cabral, 39, denied making a racist comment. Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso said that an investigation into the incident was under way. 'Toni has told us something, the FIFA protocol is activated and an investigation is under way,' Alonso said during his post-match press conference. 'We believe him. It is unacceptable.' In denying he had used racist language, Cabral said to reporters: 'It was a fight, we collided, he said that I hit him with my hand and then there was an argument and the referee made the sign of racism. In Argentina we say 'cagon de mierda' (a profanity used to call someone a coward), all the time I told him the same thing.' After being told of Cabral's explanation, Rudiger's camp reiterated his position to The Athletic. The Athletic has contacted FIFA for comment. The incident occurred on the stroke of full time at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte as Rudiger and Cabral had tussled in the Pachuca penalty area, and the Madrid defender went to ground holding his face. The two players then had a verbal exchange before referee Abatti approached the pair. Abatti sent both players away, but Rudiger returned to speak to him, and Abatti subsequently performed an 'X' gesture with his arms. The global standard gesture for players, coaches or officials to flag a racist incident during a game by crossing their arms into an 'X' symbol was introduced by FIFA after a vote at the 74th FIFA Congress in May 2024. The signal is part of the protocol at FIFA tournaments, with world football's governing body stating it is 'designed to empower players, team officials and referees to take a stand against racism'. Pachuca head coach Jaime Lozano told a press conference: 'I only found out now that you are telling me, we haven't talked about it in the dressing room. I haven't spoken to Cabral about it, I couldn't give you any explanation or justification in that sense. Advertisement 'Nothing justifies that, but I will talk to him but knowing him from before this has never happened with him, nor with any of these Pachuca players in our league. I tell you I can put my hands in the fire for my captain.' The Athletic reported on June 16 FIFA had decided not to show any videos, signage or marketing assets in venues hosting the Club World Cup in the United States which explicitly mention challenging racism or discrimination. This represented a significant change from previous FIFA competitions, such as the Women's World Cup in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand and the men's World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. The federation faced criticism from human rights groups, who called for a reverse of the decision. FIFA then displayed anti-racism and discrimination messaging at the tournament for one day on Wednesday to mark International Day for Countering Hate Speech. This included a video explaining FIFA's anti-racism protocols and the 'universal anti-racism gesture' being played on the screen before the fixture between Manchester City and Wyad AC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. FIFA declined to comment when asked if the current political climate in the U.S. played any part in its decision amid hostility towards companies who support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Madrid were 3-1 winners over Pachuca on Sunday despite playing the majority of the game with 10 players following Raul Asencio's 7th-minute sending off.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kylian Mbappe expected to return from illness against Salzburg at Club World Cup
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kylian Mbappe will likely return Thursday against Salzburg after being sidelined from Real Madrid's first two Club World Cup games, according to coach Xabi Alonso. Alonso told The Associated Press, after the team's 3-1 win over Pachuca on Sunday, that he is 'looking forward to have him back. We need to go day by day." Mbappe experienced an acute case of gastroenteritis and was discharged from the hospital Thursday. Mbappe missed the Spanish giant's opening game of the tournament — a surprise 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal in Miami — because of a fever. Real Madrid academy forward Gonzalo Garcia stepped up to fill Mbappe's absence during the group stage, scoring his team's only goal against Al Hilal and also starting against Pachuca. The French international's debut at the Club World Cup is highly anticipated as one of the tournament's biggest stars. Mbappe was the highest scorer for Real Madrid last season, scoring 43 goals in official appearances. ___
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kylian Mbappe expected to return from illness against Salzburg at Club World Cup
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Nations League third place soccer match between Germany and France in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Marijan Murat/dpa via AP) France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Nations League third place soccer match between Germany and France in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Marijan Murat/dpa via AP) France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Nations League third place soccer match between Germany and France in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Marijan Murat/dpa via AP) CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kylian Mbappe will likely return Thursday against Salzburg after being sidelined from Real Madrid's first two Club World Cup games, according to coach Xabi Alonso. Alonso told The Associated Press, after the team's 3-1 win over Pachuca on Sunday, that he is 'looking forward to have him back. We need to go day by day." Advertisement Mbappe experienced an acute case of gastroenteritis and was discharged from the hospital Thursday. Mbappe missed the Spanish giant's opening game of the tournament — a surprise 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal in Miami — because of a fever. Real Madrid academy forward Gonzalo Garcia stepped up to fill Mbappe's absence during the group stage, scoring his team's only goal against Al Hilal and also starting against Pachuca. The French international's debut at the Club World Cup is highly anticipated as one of the tournament's biggest stars. Mbappe was the highest scorer for Real Madrid last season, scoring 43 goals in official appearances. Real Madrid needs only a draw against Salzburg to guarantee advancement to the knockout rounds in their last Group H game Thursday. ___ AP soccer:
