🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Total Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a crucial European match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek return to confirm a quarter-final place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing football, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the team chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old creates club history in a crucial European match against City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek return to confirm a quarter-final place. At 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from CD Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing football, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the planet and in the top tournament." Given a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He is extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to do his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving chances with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the option to represent both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the team chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he commented after the success at Etihad Stadium.