🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge 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 previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing football, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge 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 previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing football, each day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with great stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they play in a official full international. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.