🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Utter Trust' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates club a historic moment in a pivotal European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates club a historic moment in a pivotal European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the win at Etihad Stadium.