🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Total Faith' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering 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 binding once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering 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 binding once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the success at Manchester.