🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a key European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played 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 La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve 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 starts. Whenever a teenage makes Real Madrid history in a key European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive full international. Pitarch has played 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 La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.