🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Real 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 positive impact. He worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match 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 took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official senior international match. He has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are watching his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. At 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica The midfielder is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Real 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 positive impact. He worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match 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 took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to represent both nations at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official senior international match. He has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are watching his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice yet. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.