Franco Mastantuono has become the youngest Argentine player to score a hat-trick in one of Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing a record long held by Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid loanee scored all three of his goals in Fiorentina’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win away at Venezia in Serie A.
Mastantuono achieved the feat at 19 years and 28 days old, making him 231 days younger than Messi was when he scored his own first Barcelona hat-trick, netted against Real Madrid on 10 March 2007.
Table of Contents
The Record, Compared
| Player | Age at Hat-Trick | Club | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franco Mastantuono | 19 years, 28 days | Fiorentina | 11 September 2026 |
| Lionel Messi | 19 years, 259 days | Barcelona | 10 March 2007 |
How the Match Unfolded
Fiorentina fell behind early at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo when Nigerian forward Akor Adams put Venezia ahead after 22 minutes. Mastantuono responded in explosive fashion, scoring twice in the space of under two minutes around the half-hour mark to turn the game on its head before the break.
Mateo Pellegrino added a third for the visitors midway through the second half, before Mastantuono completed his hat-trick with six minutes remaining, converting after the ball fell to him via a fortunate deflection. Venezia grabbed a late consolation through Antoine Hainaut, but the result was already beyond doubt, with Fiorentina claiming their first win — and first points — of the Serie A season.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the milestone, noting that Mastantuono is now the youngest player to score three goals for Fiorentina in a single Serie A match.
Breaking Fiorentina’s Own History Too
The hat-trick also carries significance within Fiorentina’s own history. It marked the first time an Argentine had scored three goals for the club in Serie A since Giovanni Simeone achieved the feat against Napoli in April 2018, and Mastantuono’s effort surpassed even club legend Gabriel Batistuta’s record as the youngest Viola player to reach multiple goals in a single top-flight appearance.
Notably, Mastantuono had gone scoreless in his first three league appearances for Fiorentina since his arrival, making the outburst against Venezia his first goal involvement in Serie A.
Mastantuono’s Season So Far
The winger joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan from Real Madrid on 7 August 2026, with the deal running through 30 June 2027 and no buy-option reportedly included. His move to Florence came after a difficult debut season in Madrid, where he made 35 appearances but managed just three goals — a tally he matched in this single match against Venezia.
Real Madrid have since brought in Yan Diomandé to strengthen the left-flank position Mastantuono previously occupied at the club, a sign that his path back into Los Blancos’ plans may not be straightforward even with performances like this one.
A Career Built on Fast-Tracked Records
This is far from the first record Mastantuono has broken. He made his senior debut for River Plate at just 16 years old before moving to Real Madrid, and became Argentina’s youngest-ever senior international debutant in June 2025, earning his first cap at 17 years and 296 days old in a World Cup qualifier against Chile.
Read More: Sofyan Amrabat Makes Himself Unavailable for Morocco While Ouahbi Remains Coach
Read More: Sofyan Amrabat Makes Himself Unavailable for Morocco While Ouahbi Remains Coach
FAQs
What record did Franco Mastantuono break?
He became the youngest Argentine player to score a hat-trick in one of Europe’s top five leagues, breaking a record previously held by Lionel Messi.
How old was Mastantuono when he scored his hat-trick?
He was 19 years and 28 days old, 231 days younger than Messi was during his first Barcelona hat-trick in 2007.
Which club is Franco Mastantuono currently playing for?
He is on a season-long loan at Fiorentina from Real Madrid, running until 30 June 2027.
What was the final score of the match where he scored his hat-trick?
Fiorentina came from behind to beat Venezia 4-2 in Serie A.
Does Mastantuono’s loan to Fiorentina include a buy option?
No, reports indicate the loan deal does not include a buy-option clause.
