🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Faith' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent 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 signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. 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 the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition 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 four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has played 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 last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my playing time on the field," he commented following the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for Real Madrid, including five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid history in a pivotal European tie against City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. During his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners claimed a three-nil round of 16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side defeat the English Premier League side in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by a week and a half. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent 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 signed for Real from CD Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the under-19 side, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they faced the senior squad, then coached by the former defender, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Spanish media would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso called up the youngster to train with the senior squad and gave him playing time during the warm-up matches. 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 the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the first day I began playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my ambition 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 four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos created an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his youth and inexperience. "He is a extremely fast footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I realize people are astonished to see him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, offering him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, players may represent different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a official senior international match. Pitarch has played 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 last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice yet. My situation is great with Spain, but I will reach a decision in the near future." This scenario mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal opted for La Roja, Diaz opted to play for Morocco. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel underscored the coach's confidence in younger players to help the team pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very naturally. I try not to overanalyze it excessively - I have to earn my playing time on the field," he commented following the success at Manchester.