🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," stated the player after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said following the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the first team and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," stated the player after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said following the win at Manchester.