🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Complete Trust' in Teenager Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club a historic moment in a key European match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he came on 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 first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win 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 Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club pursue future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club a historic moment in a key European match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and drive he added to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he came on 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 first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win 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 Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club pursue future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.