🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Total Faith' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 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 Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team pursue future success. Following his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a 18-year-old makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising protegees. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the first day I began playing football, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated Pitarch following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have belied his youth and experience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with great stamina, effort and mobility." The player's mindset has also impressed his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to watch him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other dual nationality players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 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 Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the team pursue future success. Following his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Manchester.