🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Have 'Total Confidence' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a key Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - 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 Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated Pitarch after his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision so far. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a teenage makes club history in a key Champions League match against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - 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 Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a quarter-final place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the first team and gave him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you play a match," stated Pitarch after his debut. "I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before entering Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, giving him the choice to play for both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision so far. My situation is great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine chose Spain, Brahim decided to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to aid the club pursue trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the win at Manchester.