🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Have 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a key Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He joined Madrid from CD 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. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before entering the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a key Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He joined Madrid from CD 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. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before entering the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive senior international match. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the win at Manchester.