🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Total Faith' in Teenager Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge 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 formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," said Pitarch after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge 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 formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," said Pitarch after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for Spain, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.