🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - 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 teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to come through from the club's academy 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 Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. 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 coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to play for either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - 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 teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to come through from the club's academy 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 Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. 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 coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to play for either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.