🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal European match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished 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. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal European match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished 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. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.