🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Utter Faith' in Youngster Thiago Pitarch Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 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 strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach 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 brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing football, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.
Thiago Pitarch has played seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates club history in a pivotal Champions League tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent Through The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Real from CD Leganes in 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 strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach 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 brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing football, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after moving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can see his capabilities," remarked Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's renowned youth academy. He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at underage levels, representing both the U19 and under-20 teams, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a decision soon." This scenario echoes that of other dual nationality players such as Real team-mate Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While teenage Lamine chose La Roja, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the identical way. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to earn my minutes on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.