đź”— Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined 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 rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to practice 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 career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age 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 endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international 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. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined 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 rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to practice 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 career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age 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 endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international 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. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.