🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He joined Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became 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 clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option 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 play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, 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 victory at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He joined Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became 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 clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option 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 play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, 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 victory at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.