đź”— Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent 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, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to represent either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "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 players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the field," he said following the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting protegees. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and drive he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the turning point in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent 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, progressing through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He holds dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to represent either country at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and U20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are watching his progress with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "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 players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Manuel Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I try not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the field," he said following the success at Manchester.