🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Complete Confidence' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only 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 secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, 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 "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him playing time in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you play a match," said the player following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision 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 Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, 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 win at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn 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. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only 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 secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, 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 "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him playing time in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you play a match," said the player following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision 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 Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, 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 win at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.