🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a crucial European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage 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 Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy 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 protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, each day you go to train and every day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to represent either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the field," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a crucial European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage 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 Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy 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 protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, each day you go to train and every day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to represent either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the field," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.