🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Complete Faith' in Teenager Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - 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 young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - 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 young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.