🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch 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 present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. My situation is positive with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch 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 present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. My situation is positive with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the success at Etihad Stadium.