🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Total Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the 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 Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch 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 Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue future success. After his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the 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 Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch 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 Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue future success. After his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.