🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Have 'Complete Faith' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through 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 exciting young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe 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 brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official senior international match. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about 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, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through 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 exciting young players. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe 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 brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official senior international match. He has played for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose Spain, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.