🔗 Share this article The Reason Los Blancos Possess 'Complete Confidence' in Teenager Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes during pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before entering the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent either country at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club chase future success. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five starts. Whenever a 18-year-old makes club history in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. In only his maiden start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - the young midfielder made a strong impression as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first-leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a month ago with a substitute appearance at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos overcome the English Premier League side in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight place. Aged 18 years old, Pitarch became the team's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise From The Academy This talent is the latest to emerge from the club's academy and is rapidly cementing himself as one of Alvaro Arbeloa's most exciting young players. He signed for Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a positive impact. He worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they faced the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who replaced the previous coach in the new year. Spanish media would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, character and determination he brought to the side. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Character' In the pre-season of 2025, former boss Xabi Alonso invited the youngster to train with the senior squad and awarded him minutes during pre-season. Yet, it was Arbeloa's appointment that became the turning point in his career as he came on as a second-half replacement in both ties against the Portuguese side that set up the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this each night when sleeping, the first day I started playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I've just achieved my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in the Spanish league against Getafe - where he spent several seasons after arriving from Atleti in 2018 - he has kept his spot for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with performances that have defied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast footballer, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with excellent endurance, effort and movement." Pitarch's mentality has also impressed his coach. "His greatest quality is his character," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be astonished to see him start in a European fixture, but he is selected because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get chances with the first team. It's a pleasure to coach a player like him." Spain or Morocco? Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, progressing through youth setups before entering the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent either country at senior international level. Under international regulations, footballers may represent different countries at junior level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only final once they play in a official full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the under-19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where Spain reached the quarter-finals. Despite this, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are monitoring his progress with interest. Speaking recently, the player said: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. My situation is great with Spain, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Brahim opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the 2-1 win at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight tie with Bayern Munich. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to aid the club chase future success. After his impressive impact to date on European football's biggest stage, Pitarch is tipped to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa handles me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I have to deserve my minutes on the pitch," he commented following the win at Etihad Stadium.