Valencia legend Kempes believes Mastantuano needs to step things up if he is to succeed long-term with Real Madrid.
Kempes told AS: “It’s not easy, it’s not River, it’s not Boca… it’s Real Madrid. At Real Madrid, you have to win even in training. Mastantouno needs to be a little more daring, he needs to be more courageous.
“If they brought him from River to Real Madrid, it’s because they saw potential in him, and today that potential isn’t working in his favor. If he doesn’t use that potential, he won’t last long.
“He needs to get bolder, do what he did at River, shoot from outside the box, take on defenders…
“Lamine Yamal is more or less like that, look, he loses the ball, not often, but he does lose it, and he keeps asking for it. And he takes on defenders, and he shoots, and he plays.
“That’s what Mastantuono has to do, sacrifice himself 20 times more than Mbappé, or Vini, or anyone else. Even Rodrygo.”
Kempes added: “Mentally? You have to prove it on the field, not just because you’re mentally sharp.”
“People will like you, yes, they value your effort, your will, but you have to be a protagonist, not just in some things. Believe you can be a star, but without letting it go to your head."