🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Trust' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a key Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg lead 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 Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side 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 drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a key Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg lead 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 Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side 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 drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.