🔗 Share this article The Reason Real Madrid Possess 'Utter Confidence' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club a historic moment in a crucial European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering the club's renowned youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club a historic moment in a crucial European tie against City, it naturally attracts acclaim and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the 15-time European champions claimed a three-nil round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in the midweek return to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica The midfielder is the latest to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the reserve side and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "an instant connection," adding he stood out not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Alonso called up the youngster to train with the first team and awarded him playing time during the warm-up matches. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has seized it with performances that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can observe his capabilities," said the coach. "He is extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his character," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are surprised to watch him start in a European fixture, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before entering the club's renowned youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. While 18-year-old Lamine opted for La Roja, Brahim decided to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for 74 minutes in the two-one victory at the Etihad, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored Arbeloa's trust in younger players to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I try not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the pitch," he said after the success at Etihad Stadium.