đź”— Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club a historic moment in a crucial European match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent either country at senior international level. Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club a historic moment in a crucial European match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent either country at senior international level. Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.