🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes club history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are positive with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes club history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are positive with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Etihad Stadium.