Thiago Pitarch is one of the novelties in the Real Madrid squad list for their game against SL Benfica tonight in the UEFA Champions League.
The 18-year-old La Fabrica midfielder used to be a regular presence in the first-team squad under Xabi Alonso, but that has not been the case after Alvaro Arbeloa took over.
However, after a brilliant performance against Marseille in the UEFA Youth League earlier this month, the teenager has been rewarded with a call-up for the European encounter.
Coincidentally, though, it happens to be against a club whom he almost signed for a few years ago.
Pitarch was Benfica-bound before Real Madrid intervened
Indeed, according to AS, Thiago Pitarch was very close to signing for SL Benfica in 2023, while he was still at the Leganes academy. However, a phone call from Real Madrid halted that move and he ended up arriving at Valdebebas instead.
The 18-year-old midfield prospect had joined the Leganes youth setup in 2022, after stints at Atletico Madrid and Getafe. Arriving as a cadet, he was promoted to Juvenil A (U19) setup within a month.
Thiago Pitarch was close to joining Benfica. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
And his performances at the youth level regional tournaments did not go unnoticed as Benfica came calling in 2023.
The proposal from the Portuguese giants was highly attractive. After all, they boast of one of the strongest academies in Europe, and are a team that invests heavily in their homegrown talent.
As such, Pitarch was leaning towards a move to Benfica. Everything seemed almost decided, and the move was nearing completion, when Real Madrid entered the scene.
The Spanish capital club had been monitoring the talented youngster’s development for some time, but when Benfica accelerated, they understood it was now or never.
Once Real Madrid made an approach, Pitarch had no hesitation in choosing La Fabrica over Benfica’s academy. Now, he is knocking on the first-team doors, awaiting his debut, which might end up coming tonight against a team he almost joined three years ago.