🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Total Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a key European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During 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 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica 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 promising protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment 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 clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the option to play for either country at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has played for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I try 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 games for Real Madrid, including five starts. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a key European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During 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 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica 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 promising protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment 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 clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the option to play for either country at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has played for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Etihad Stadium.