🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Teenager Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned 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, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned 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, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the success at Manchester.