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

Whenever a teenage makes club a historic moment in a crucial Champions League match against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight.

In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth game for the team - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions secured a three-nil round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a month ago with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped the Madrid side overcome the English champions in the midweek second leg to secure a quarter-final place.

Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by a week and a half.

A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy

This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing 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 and Getafe's academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact.

He progressed to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January.

Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the side.

'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality'

During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season.

Yet, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Manchester City.

"I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, each day you head to training and each day you play a match," stated Pitarch following his debut.

"I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the planet and in the best competition."

Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his place for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening.

The teenager has seized it with displays that have defied his youth and experience.

"He is a very quick player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility."

Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach.

"His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed.

"I understand people are astonished to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game.

"He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him."

Spain or Morocco?

Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, progressing through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy.

He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level.

Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at youth level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only final once they appear in a official full international.

Pitarch has featured for Spain at underage levels, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals.

Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either full national side, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention.

Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision in the near future."

This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal opted for Spain, Diaz decided to play for 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 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions.

His substitution by another academy player in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to help the club pursue future success.

After his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that.

"Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the success at Manchester.