🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Confidence' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him playing time in pre-season. 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 clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated the player after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - 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. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team chase future success. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him playing time in pre-season. 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 clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated the player after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - 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. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his youth and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the team chase future success. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Manchester.