🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a pivotal European match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said the player after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to see him start in a European fixture, but he's playing 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 player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a pivotal European match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said the player after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to see him start in a European fixture, but he's playing 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 player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the win at Manchester.