🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Confidence' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 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 B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for 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 provided an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a crucial Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vini Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 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 B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the senior squad and gave him playing time in pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition." Given a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he was for 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 provided an opportunity. The teenager has taken it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with great stamina, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his personality," continued he. "He always wants the ball, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to play for either country at senior international level. According to international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with interest. Speaking recently, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Diaz decided to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the team chase future success. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it too much - I have to earn my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Manchester.