🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Possess 'Total Confidence' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club history in a pivotal European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes during pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to represent either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the club pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage creates club history in a pivotal European tie against City, it inevitably draws praise and the spotlight. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth game for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a quarter-final berth. At 18 years old, the midfielder was the club's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From La Fabrica This talent is the latest to come through from the famed youth system and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He joined Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico Madrid and Getafe youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. He progressed to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, character and determination he added to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Remains His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to train with the senior squad and gave him minutes during pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that set up the meeting with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing football, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said the player following his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the world and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for four years after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos created an opening. Pitarch has seized it with displays that have belied his age and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He is incredibly dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and when pressed, he remains unfazed. "I understand fans might be surprised to see him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do what he usually does. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, progressing through local academies before joining the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, offering him the option to represent either country at the highest level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being locked in, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has played for Spain at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and under-20 teams, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I have not taken my final decision yet. Things are great with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other dual nationality talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on making his mark in the Madrid lineup and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the club pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to overanalyze it excessively - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.