🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Complete Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes club history in a key European tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final place. At 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to play for both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes club history in a key European tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final place. At 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to play for both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.