Real Madrid have permanently promoted 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch to their first team. After impressing manager Alvaro Arbeloa, Pitarch has earned a permanent spot in the senior squad.
Arbeloa’s Faith in Youth
Since taking over as Real Madrid manager in January, Alvaro Arbeloa has called upon a number of La Fabrica talents. David Jimenez, Thiago Pitarch and Cesar Palacios are among the players to have been called upon in La Liga and the Champions League. However, Pitarch has earned a permanent spot in the senior squad.
Arbeloa handed Pitarch a first Real Madrid start on Friday. He was impressed with Pitarch’s performance in the victory over Celta Vigo. The decision has already been made for him to remain in the first team for the rest of the season.
A Proper Squad Member
Arbeloa does not see Pitarch as someone to fill the gaps that have recently been left by Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga. Rather, the teenager is considered to be a proper member of Arbeloa’s squad. This decision was made after only 152 minutes of action for Los Blancos.
The fact that Pitarch stayed on the pitch ahead of Arda Guler during Friday’s win in Galicia underlines the faith that Arbeloa has in the young midfielder. He sees him as an option to be used between now and the end of the season. If he manages to retain his position as manager going into the 2026-26 campaign, the likelihood is that Pitarch will remain in contention.
Opportunity Ahead
Real Madrid have struggled to count on academy players over the years, so it will be a welcome sight for supporters to see Pitarch donning the famous white jersey.
It will be interesting to see whether he retains his place in the line-up for the visit of Manchester City on Wednesday, especially considering that Camavinga has now recovered from his recent tooth pain.