🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Total Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a crucial European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club 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 the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Given a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a crucial European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club 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 the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Given a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the win at Etihad Stadium.