🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Have 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed 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 replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed 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 replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely dynamic, with great stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the two-one win at City, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I must earn my minutes on the field," he commented after the success at Manchester.