🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Have 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage creates Real Madrid history in a crucial European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match 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 replaced the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding 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' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," said the player after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He is incredibly dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage creates Real Madrid history in a crucial European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match 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 replaced the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding 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' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," said the player after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He is incredibly dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.