🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a pivotal European match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before entering the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the team pursue future success. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a pivotal European match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before entering the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the team pursue future success. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.