River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has voiced his opinion that Franco Mastantuono's highly anticipated move to Real Madrid has occurred prematurely. The transfer of the 17-year-old midfielder to the Spanish giants, finalized earlier this month for approximately $45 million, has raised concerns for Gallardo, who believes Mastantuono was still in a critical phase of his development and an integral part of River Plate's future plans.

Gallardo acknowledged that Mastantuono's departure would undoubtedly create a void within his squad, especially as they gear up for their Club World Cup match against Monterrey. While recognizing the inevitability of young talents moving to bigger clubs, Gallardo expressed a sentiment that the timing wasn't ideal for either the player or the club.

"It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. "Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace."

Despite his reservations, Gallardo understands that the dynamics of modern football often dictate these early transfers. He admitted that while fans may not appreciate the timing, the market ultimately dictates when these moves occur. He is now focused on readjusting the team's strategy, acknowledging the difficulty in replacing a player with Mastantuono's unique qualities.

Gallardo is encouraging Mastantuono to remain focused on River Plate's current campaign, despite the whirlwind of activity surrounding his impending move. He emphasized the importance of the young player staying grounded and concentrating on his performance on the field.

"All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said. "I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do."

Ahead of River Plate's Club World Cup journey, Gallardo confirmed that Mastantuono would play against Urawa Red Diamonds, stating, "I have a player here, who is part of our squad. He wants to play. If he is fit, he will play, and if not, he won't." He praised Mastantuono's attitude and desire to play football.

River Plate initiated their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds. Gallardo emphasized the importance of this win in settling any initial nerves within the team. Following their match against Monterrey in Pasadena, River Plate is scheduled to face Inter Milan, the Champions League runners-up.

Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid is set to occur in August after his 18th birthday. The transfer fee is reported to be $72.6 million, with River Plate receiving a net €45 million ($51.7 million). The remaining amount covers Spanish tax authorities, the Association of Football Players, AFA Structural Funds, and other expenses. This transfer marks the most expensive sale in Argentine football history.