đź”— Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club history in a crucial European match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club 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 champions in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise 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 the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point 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 when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a player 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, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 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 senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must earn my playing time on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club history in a crucial European match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club 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 champions in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise 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 the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point 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 when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a player 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, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 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 senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must earn my playing time on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.