Euro U19

Thiago Pitarch stays cool under pressure as he leads Spain into the U‑19 Euro final: “I’m where I want to be”

The Real Madrid and U-19 player spoke to AS in Chester, where La Rojita is preparing to face Germany in the U‑19 Euro final. “I still haven’t spoken with Mou.”

Buda Mendes - FIFA

Ignacio Camacho

Update: Jul 10th, 2026 16:05 EDT

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Thiago Pitarch has already played six Champions League knockout matches for Real Madrid — at just 19 years old. So living through an Under‑19 European Championship final feels surprisingly calm for him, though the excitement is just as real. Pitarch (born in Fuenlabrada in 2007) experiences football with the same intensity whether he’s wearing white for Real Madrid or red for Spain. And within La Rojita, his teammates treat him like one of their own, not a rising superstar.

“I’m exactly where I want to be,” he tells AS from Chester, as debate over his international future resurfaces. On Saturday night, he’ll lead Spain against Germany in the U‑19 Euro final.

His mindset heading into the final

“We’re feeling good. The team is confident, but before a match like this, there are no favorites. What we do have is a huge desire to play.”

A season he never saw coming

Pitarch started the year registered with Real Madrid’s Juvenil A squad.“I thought, ‘I’ll just see how things go.’ Then I started playing well with Castilla, and later I began training with the first team. I’ve lived it all calmly. I’m still surrounded by the same people. All I care about is enjoying football.”

Spain first called him up for the U‑20 World Cup, where Morocco was already trying to recruit him.“I’m clear about where I want to be — with my teammates, with the U‑19s, enjoying the Euros. I’m very happy here.”

His role: pivot, No. 10… or whatever the game demands

At the U‑20 World Cup, he played as a pivot. At this Euro, he’s wearing the No. 10 and thriving.“In this team, all the midfielders rotate positions. It gives us freedom. Honestly, I don’t mind where I play.”

At Madrid, Arbeloa used him as a fourth midfielder — sometimes as a pivot, sometimes drifting right.“At Madrid, the best players in the world play. You have to adapt. The important thing was enjoying every match and learning from them because you never know when it might be your last.”

At Madrid I focused on enjoying and learning because every match can be the last one”
Thiago Pitarch

How La Rojita sees him

“They treat me how I want to be treated: like one more. We joke around a lot. I treat them like my friends outside football. There’s no leader in this locker room — we’re all in it together.”

He has strong relationships with both Arbeloa and Spain U‑19 coach Gallardo:“They’ve given me all the confidence possible, and I try to repay it on the field.”

Gallardo’s message before the final?“He reminds us that this 2007 generation still has a thorn from the last U‑17 Euros, where we went out in the group stage. We’ve never won anything, and we’re hungry for a title. The key is keeping a clean sheet — that’s what got us here.”

His chemistry with teammates

In Spain’s midfield, he links perfectly with Espart and Junyent.At Madrid?“With anyone. They’re the best in the world. You adapt to them because they’re incredible.”

Has Mourinho contacted him?

“Not yet. I’m focused on the Euro final. After that, we’ll see.”

People from Madrid have wished him luck, but he’s barely checked his phone:“I’m enjoying this experience with my teammates. You never know when you’ll live something like this again.”

I haven’t spoken with Mourinho, but I’m not thinking about that, only the final against Germany”
Thiago Pitarch

Is La Fábrica underrated?

“Madrid has the best players in the world, so it’s harder to break through. But we’re proving that when we get opportunities, we’re ready. That’s what the academy trains us for — to help the first team.”

How a Champions League player approaches a U‑19 final

“The same as any match — calmly, enjoying it to the fullest. It’s still a European final.”

Thiago Pitarch 🆚 🇭🇷#U19EURO pic.twitter.com/XwynSA1zhV
— UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) July 9, 2026

What would being MVP mean?

“I don’t think about that. The important thing is beating Germany. That would make me happier than anything. If they give me MVP afterward, great. If not, also great.”

His inspirations

“I always looked at quality midfielders like Kroos and Modric, and Spain’s midfield with Iniesta. Now I really like Bellingham.”

The question he hears most

“What’s it like being around Madrid’s players? What’s it like day‑to‑day with Vini, Mbappé, and the rest?”

His answer:“The first days you’re amazed — like you’re wearing VR goggles. Little by little, you get used to it.”

Who took care of him the most?

“Everyone. They’re exceptional teammates. Early on, the Spaniards — Carvajal, Brahim, Carreras — were very attentive. Brahim helped me a lot from day one.”

His three dreams for next year

Not getting injured.
Enjoying football in La Liga.
Playing more Champions League matches if possible.