🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a key Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I've just achieved 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 was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue future success. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a key Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I've just achieved 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 was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue future success. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Manchester.