🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Faith' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "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," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "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," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering the club's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.