Franco Mastantuono, who recently joined the Madrid club, immediately attracted the attention of fans. Having just celebrated his 18th birthday, the Argentine arrived at the Valdebebas training base the very next day behind the wheel of an eye-catching BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. This did not go unnoticed by those present and automotive experts, who were surprised by the young athlete’s swift appearance at the wheel.
However, the footballer’s actions were fully in line with current regulations. There is an agreement between Spain and Argentina, signed in 2002 and enacted in 2003, that allows Argentine citizens to exchange their driver’s licenses for Spanish ones without taking additional exams. The main condition is that the driver’s license must be obtained in Argentina before applying for residency in Spain. After that, an administrative fee of €28.87 must be paid to acquire a permit to drive passenger vehicles. This is exactly what Mastantuono did, receiving his license at 17 with parental consent.
The car that the athlete arrived at the base in was provided by the German manufacturer as part of a partnership with the club. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe in its premium configuration is equipped with a 245-horsepower engine, can accelerate up to 250 km/h, and reaches 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The starting price for this model is 56,000 euros. A video featuring the young player quickly spread across social media, sparking a strong reaction among fans and car enthusiasts.
Mastantuono’s appearance behind the wheel of such a powerful car immediately after reaching adulthood became a topic of discussion not just among football fans, but also road safety experts. Nevertheless, all the formalities were fulfilled, and the young Argentine showcased confidence both on the field and behind the wheel.
