🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team'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 La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate 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. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team'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 La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate 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. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.