🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Have 'Complete Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a key European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment 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 have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, each day you go to train and every day you have a game," said the player after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent 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 appear in a competitive full international. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club pursue future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented after the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a key European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment 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 have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, each day you go to train and every day you have a game," said the player after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to represent 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 appear in a competitive full international. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club pursue future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented after the win at Manchester.