🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Teenager Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club a historic moment in a pivotal European match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to represent 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 featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, 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 the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected 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 must earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club a historic moment in a pivotal European match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to represent 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 featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, 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 the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected 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 must earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.