🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Trust' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying 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 Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy 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 Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster 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," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition 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 was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," continued he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said following the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying 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 Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy 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 Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster 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," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition 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 was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," continued he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said following the win at Manchester.