đź”— Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Trust' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, 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 friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his career as he was introduced 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 when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch after his debut. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure 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 entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, 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 friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his career as he was introduced 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 when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch after his debut. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure 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 entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.