Argentinian teenager Franco Mastantuono announced himself in Serie A in spectacular fashion on Friday, scoring the first hattrick of his career as Fiorentina came from behind to beat Venezia 4-2 and claim their first points of the season.
The 19-year-old midfielder was the star of the night, scoring three times to inspire Fiorentina to victory -- and in the process, breaking a record previously held by Lionel Messi.
Mastantuono became the youngest Argentine ever to score a hattrick in one of Europe's top five leagues, achieving the feat at just 19 years and 28 days old.
That saw him surpass Messi's previous record. The Argentina legend was 19 years and 259 days old when he scored his first La Liga hat-trick for Barcelona against Real Madrid in a memorable 3-3 El Clasico at Camp Nou in March 2007.
Mastantuono's historic night began after Venezia had taken the lead through Nigerian striker Akor Adams in the 22nd minute.
But the teenager needed just a minute to turn the match on its head.
After opening his Fiorentina account in the 30th minute, Mastantuono struck again almost immediately to put La Viola ahead. The two goals marked his first goals in a Fiorentina shirt and gave his side a lead they would never surrender.
Mateo Pellegrino extended Fiorentina's advantage after coming off the bench, but Mastantuono was not finished.
The hattrick also moved Mastantuono ahead of several other Argentine stars on the list of youngest players from the country to score three goals in one of Europe's major leagues. Mauro Icardi had achieved the feat at 19 years and 343 days, while Antonio Angelillo did it at 20 years and 17 days. Gonzalo Higuaín completed his first hat-trick at 20 years and 334 days.
With six minutes remaining, the Argentine completed his hat-trick, capping a remarkable individual performance and securing his place in Serie A history.
Venezia managed a late consolation through French midfielder Antoine Hainaut, but the damage had already been done.
The hattrick also moved Mastantuono ahead of several other Argentine stars on the list of youngest players from the country to score three goals in one of Europe's major leagues. Mauro Icardi had achieved the feat at 19 years and 343 days, while Antonio Angelillo did it at 20 years and 17 days. Gonzalo Higuaín completed his first hat-trick at 20 years and 334 days.
For Mastantuono, the achievement came in only his fifth appearance for Fiorentina.
The former River Plate youngster, now on loan from Real Madrid, had endured a quiet start to life in Italy. But one extraordinary night in Venice changed everything.
His three goals not only ended Fiorentina's three-match losing streak but also delivered the club their first Serie A points of the campaign.
The victory lifted Fiorentina to 15th place, while Venezia fell to the bottom of the table. Both sides have conceded 11 goals in their opening four matches.
For Mastantuono, however, the night was about far more than three points.
