🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD 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 rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, 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, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' During the pre-season 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 became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase future success. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder 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 too much - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD 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 rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, 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, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' During the pre-season 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 became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase future success. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder 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 too much - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.