🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Total Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a key European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, 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 the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, every day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed 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 fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a key European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, 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 the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, every day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed 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 fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the win at Manchester.