🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a key European match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - 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 advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica 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 young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," said Pitarch after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a key European match against City, it inevitably draws acclaim and attention. In only his maiden start in the tournament - 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 advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica 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 young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," said Pitarch after his debut. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering the club's renowned La Fabrica system. He possesses both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has played for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.