🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Utter Faith' in Teenager 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 makes club history in a key European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have 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 have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, 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 last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. 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. While 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a key European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I have 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 have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total confidence in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, 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 last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. 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. While 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase trophies to come. After his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.