🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Complete Trust' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini 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 Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive full international. He has played for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored 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 be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini 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 Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive full international. He has played for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored 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 be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.