🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Utter Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from CD 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. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely dynamic, with great endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. He has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team pursue future success. After his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from CD 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. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely dynamic, with great endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. He has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team pursue future success. After his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.