🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League match against 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 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my ambition with the best team 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 place for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before entering the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for either country at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. My situation is positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he commented after the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an teenage makes Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League match against 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 15-time European champions secured a 3-0 round of 16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his club debut in the qualifying round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then assisted the Madrid side overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's second leg to confirm a last eight place. At 18 years old, Pitarch became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, beating star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. Rapid Ascent From La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most promising protegees. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's academies, and initially featuring for the under-19 side, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was during a pre-season game in which they played against the academy's first team, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding Pitarch excelled not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Is His Character' In the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited the youngster to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time during pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against Benfica that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my ambition with the best team 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 place for the next four as injuries to Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely dynamic, with excellent endurance, work-rate and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the ball, and even under pressure, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are astonished to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete confidence in him to perform what he usually does. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and grew up deeply involved in the local game, moving through local academies before entering the club's renowned youth academy. He possesses dual Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the choice to play for either country at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may appear for different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a competitive senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any senior national team, who are watching his rise with keen attention. In a recent interview, Pitarch confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. My situation is positive with Spain, but I'll make a decision soon." His situation mirrors that of other bi-national talents such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barca star Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Yamal chose Spain, Diaz opted to represent Morocco. Focus on the Future For now, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Madrid lineup and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a quarter-final tie with the German champions. He was replaced by fellow youth graduate in Manuel Angel underscored the coach's confidence in the next generation to aid the team chase trophies to come. Following his notable contributions so far on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he commented after the win at Etihad Stadium.