🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Utter Confidence' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a key European tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against 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. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career 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 each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses 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 binding once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a key European tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against 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. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career 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 each night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, every day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses 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 binding once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.