🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Complete Trust' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates Real Madrid history in a key European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates Real Madrid history in a key European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.