🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a quarter-final place. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute 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 began playing football, each day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand people are surprised to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the team chase future success. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Manchester.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League match against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a quarter-final place. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute 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 began playing football, each day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player following his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his age and experience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand people are surprised to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before entering Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at underage levels, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the team chase future success. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Manchester.