🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising 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 quickly made a positive impact. He 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 caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've 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 play a match," stated Pitarch after his debut. "I have just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising 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 quickly made a positive impact. He 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 caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've 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 play a match," stated Pitarch after his debut. "I have just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has taken it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He's a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager handles me the same. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Manchester.