🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Total Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-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 Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From 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 young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during 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. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said the player following his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset 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 understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue future success. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-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 Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From 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 young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during 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. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said the player following his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset 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 understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has played for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club pursue future success. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.