🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through 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 exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering the club's renowned youth academy. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final 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 chase future success. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through 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 exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering the club's renowned youth academy. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final 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 chase future success. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.