Thiago Pitarch becomes Real Madrid’s second-youngest Champions League knockout starter, behind Vinicius Junior

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·11 March 2026

Thiago Pitarch becomes Real Madrid’s second-youngest Champions League knockout starter, behind Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch made his first Champions League start against Manchester City on Wednesday night, becoming the club’s second-youngest to begin a knockout tie at 18 years and 220 days.

L'Équipe notes that he was a surprise inclusion, preferred to Eduardo Camavinga, who was back from toothache. The last-16 first leg finished 3-0.

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The Spanish youngster had also started Real’s past two La Liga matches. Here he lined up alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni and featured for most of the game.

He was withdrawn in the final quarter-hour, replaced by Manuel Angel Moran.

Only Vinicius Junior was younger for Madrid in a Champions League knockout match, starting against Ajax on 13 February 2019 at 18 years and 216 days. That tie ended 2-1.

Source: L'Équipe