Real Madrid's league debut at Santiago Bernabéu left more than one image up for debate. Xabi Alonso's team secured a hard-fought victory against Osasuna, but the media attention was focused off the field.
In the stands, thousands of fans surprised everyone with a chant that hadn't been heard in that venue for decades: "Franco, Franco, Franco!"
The controversy erupted immediately, but in this case the explanation is much simpler and less political than some initially interpreted. Madridist fans weren't evoking the dictatorship, but rather the surname of the new white idol, who made his debut yesterday wearing the merengue jersey.
However, it's also true that in many cases the ambiguity wasn't innocent.
Mastantuono wins over the fans
Claudio Echeverri Mastantuono Franco, the Argentine gem signed this summer by Real Madrid, played his first minutes at Bernabéu. Despite his young age and the doubts raised in his country, the player showed flashes of quality that excited the crowd.
The public, aware that they might be witnessing the birth of a star, began to chant loudly "Franco, Franco!" The footballer's surname, which matches a name loaded with historical resonance in Spain, created a moment as unexpected as it was striking.
Confusion outside the stadium
Images of the chant spread like wildfire on social media. Several media outlets initially echoed it, presenting it as a reminder of dark times. However, it soon became clear that the public's intention was to cheer the young Mastantuono.
The confusion is understandable: it had been decades since that shout was heard at Bernabéu. But the current context is completely different. It wasn't a political chant, but rather the most spontaneous way the fans found to elevate their new talent.
Even Josep Pedrerol has doubts and conducted a survey among his people yesterday to find out how the new Real Madrid signing should be called. Franco or Mastantuono?
Pedrerol himself finished the job: "Bernabéu has a new idol."
Catalan press on the prowl
What happened at Bernabéu was soon used by certain Catalan media to try to tarnish Real Madrid's victory.
Sport and other portals close to Barça highlighted the "Franco" chant as a political act, hiding the fact that the stands were cheering debutant Mastantuono Franco.
At Camp Nou, where all kinds of shouts have been heard without the same media scandal, the double standard is surprising. A spontaneous ovation for a footballer turned into sensationalist headlines, while in Barcelona attitudes are tolerated that rarely receive criticism.
Mastantuono already bothers Barça
The fact that the Argentine has made a strong debut and has already won over Bernabéu is unsettling in the Catalan city. There, they still haven't come to terms with the fact that Real Madrid got ahead with his signing. The culé youth academy can't produce a talent of that level.
The same people who try to ridicule Mastantuono with artificial controversies actually admit in private that the boy has the makings of a star. Barça watches from afar as the new white idol begins to generate excitement and already eclipses several of its signings.