🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Complete Confidence' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final place. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," stated the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to represent 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 played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the team chase future success. After his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final place. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you go to train and each day you play a match," stated the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion soon." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to represent 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 played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the team chase future success. After his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.