🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Faith' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him playing time during pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him playing time during pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have belied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the choice to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a official full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz decided to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.