🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Faith' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a key Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the 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 assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up 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 turning point in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream 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 spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim opted to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final 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 chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old creates Real Madrid history in a key Champions League tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. During his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the fifteen-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg advantage at the 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 assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek second leg to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, Pitarch was the team's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy The midfielder is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. He progressed to the B team and it was in a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Personality' During the pre-season of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up 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 turning point in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing the game, every day you head to training and every day you have a game," stated the player following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my dream 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 spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the ball, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "Thiago will continue to get chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He possesses dual Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the option to represent both nations at the highest level. According to international regulations, players may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they appear in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are positive with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim opted to play for Morocco. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a quarter-final 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 chase trophies to come. After his notable contributions to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the field," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.