Real Madrid 18-year-old midfield prospect knocking on Alvaro Arbeloa’s doors | OneFootball

When Xabi Alonso was in charge of Real Madrid, young midfielder Thiago Pitarch was pretty much a regular in first-team training and was the youth player called up to squads most frequently.

That has changed under Alvaro Arbeloa, who has not been shy of calling up youngsters from Castilla, but has not named Pitarch in his squads even once so far.

Thiago Pitarch makes his case

Now, though, as AS reports Thiago Pitarch has come knocking on Arbeloa’s doors with his brilliant performance in the UEFA Youth League game against Marseille earlier this week.

The 18-year-old midfielder found the back of the net with a sensational strike and was involved in two more goals as Real Madrid Juvenil A went on to win 5-2 on the night.

His personal numbers against the French side bordered on perfection: Man of the Match, 90% pass accuracy (52 completed), 100% success in dribbles (2/2), tackles (3/3) and long passes (4/4), plus six duels won out of seven.

Waiting for his first-team debut. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Aside from Sergio Mestre, Pitarch was the academy player most frequently called up to the first team by Xabi Alonso without making his debut.

He has been included 11 times in matchday squads: seven in La Liga, one in Copa del Rey (against Talavera, where he warmed up but did not come on), one in the Champions League (vs Juventus) and he even travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup.

However, Arbeloa, who was key to fast-tracking Pitarch’s development at the youth level at Real Madrid, has not yet named him in the squad, even though the team is lacking a player of his profile.

Pitarch’s ambition is clear: to kick the final door down and make his first-team debut. And with his performance against Marseille, he has sent a strong message to Arbeloa.