🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.