The Reason Los Blancos Have 'Total Trust' in Youngster Pitarch

When an teenage creates club history in a crucial European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight.

During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions secured a three-nil round of 16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior 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 place.

Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half.

A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica

This talent is the latest to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players.

He joined Madrid from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with 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 pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in the new year.

Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, character and determination he brought to the team.

'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality'

During the summer of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up Pitarch to train with the first team and awarded him minutes in pre-season.

However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in each leg against Benfica that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team.

"I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the first day I started playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said Pitarch following his debut.

"I've just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition."

Given a first start in the Spanish league against his former club - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the next four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity.

Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience.

"He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement."

The player's mindset has also impressed his coach.

"His greatest quality is his character," added he. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it.

"I realize people are surprised to see him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform his normal game.

"Thiago will continue to get opportunities with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him."

Spain or Morocco?

Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before entering Real Madrid's famous La Fabrica system.

He possesses both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent both nations at the highest level.

Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive full international.

He has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the U19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain made it to the quarter-finals.

Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest.

In a recent interview, Pitarch said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion soon."

His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. While teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions.

Eyes on the Prize

At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith.

He played over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions.

His substitution by another academy player in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team chase trophies to come.

Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that.

"Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my minutes on the pitch," he said after the win at Manchester.