🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Total Trust' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was 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. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence 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 Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official full international. He has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 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 any full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to earn my minutes 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. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was 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. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence 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 Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official full international. He has played for Spain at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 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 any full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.