🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Have 'Complete Faith' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old creates club history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for 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 displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are great with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose La Roja, 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 rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an 18-year-old creates club history in a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts acclaim and attention. During his maiden start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a 3-0 round of 16 first-leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also had his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight place. At 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the team's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, beating Brazil forward Vini Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe academies, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have caught the attention of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the energy, personality and drive he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' During the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during pre-season. However, it was Arbeloa's appointment that proved the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a late substitute in both ties against Benfica that set up the clash with Manchester City. "I've dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for 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 displays that have belied his youth and inexperience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can see his capabilities," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, effort and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him make his debut in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will continue to get chances with the main squad. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised deeply involved in Spanish football, progressing through youth setups before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the choice to represent both nations at senior international level. According to international regulations, players may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only final once they appear in a official full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Despite this, he has yet to commit to either senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision so far. Things are great with Spain, but I will reach a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine chose La Roja, 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 rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at the Etihad, which completed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight tie with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise the coach's confidence in younger players to help the club chase future success. After his notable contributions to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "The manager handles me the identical way. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he said after the win at Manchester.