đź”— Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Trust' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose Spain, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a key European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 last-16 first-leg advantage at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped the Madrid side defeat the English champions in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he added to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my ambition with the greatest club in the planet and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent four years after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opening. The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his age and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," said the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose Spain, Brahim opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.