🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes club history in a pivotal European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed 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 youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said Pitarch after his debut. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes club history in a pivotal European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He progressed 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 youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said Pitarch after his debut. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast player, and you can observe his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the team chase trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my minutes on the field," he said following the win at Etihad Stadium.