🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Total Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and gave him playing time during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," said the player after his debut. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent stamina, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated 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 full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and gave him playing time during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," said the player after his debut. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent stamina, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated 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 full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the success at Manchester.