🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Utter Trust' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes Real Madrid history in a crucial European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented after the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes Real Madrid history in a crucial European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented after the win at Manchester.