🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club history in a crucial European match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club history in a crucial European match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.