🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Total Trust' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a key European match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder 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 CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, 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 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, personality and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize 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 completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a key European match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder 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 CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, 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 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, personality and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize 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 completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.