🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Utter Faith' in Youngster Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil last-16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed 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 the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to see him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive 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. While teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he commented after the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for the Spanish giants, including five appearances in the starting lineup. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a pivotal Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time European champions claimed a three-nil last-16 first-leg lead at the Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his club debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Benfica, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's youngest player to start twice in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vinicius Jr's record by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He joined Real from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. Pitarch progressed 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 the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Character' During the summer of 2025, former boss Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him playing time in the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he was introduced as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I have dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, each day you go to train and each day you have a game," stated the player after his first appearance. "I've just fulfilled my dream with the greatest club in the world and in the best competition." Given a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after moving from Atletico in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He's a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his character," continued Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I realize people are surprised to see him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had total confidence in him to perform his normal game. "He will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in a Madrid suburb, in the Madrid region, and grew up fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous La Fabrica system. He holds dual Moroccan and Spanish nationality, offering him the choice to play for both nations at senior international level. Under Fifa eligibility rules, footballers may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official senior international match. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with interest. Speaking recently, Pitarch said: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive 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. While teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, Pitarch's focus is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying Arbeloa's faith. He played over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 aggregate success and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the team pursue future success. Following his impressive impact to date on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to play a key role in that. "Arbeloa handles me the identical way. We deal with it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I must earn my minutes on the pitch," he commented after the win at Etihad Stadium.