đź”— Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time during pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "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 mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time during pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that proved the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "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 mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the club chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.