🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent 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 young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the club pursue trophies to come. After his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent 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 young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the club pursue trophies to come. After his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.