There is no hiding from the truth: the 2025–26 season was unacceptable by Real Madrid standards. A club built on relentless European glory and domestic dominance cannot go empty-handed, regardless of how much star power sits in the dressing room. When Los Blancos don’t win, changes are demanded, and standards must be answered.
Yet, even in the darkest storms, La Fábrica continues to shine.
The defining positive from the final stretch of last season was the explosive rise of 19-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch. After breaking into senior football and anchoring Spain to glory at the UEFA U-19 European Championship over the summer, Europe came knocking.
The most persistent offer arrived from London, where former Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa wanted to bring his protégé to Fulham. But Pitarch’s heart is at the Santiago Bernabéu—and Real Madrid have officially made their decision.
Mourinho’s Seal of Approval: Retained for the First Team
According to reports from Diario AS, Real Madrid have closed the door on any potential exit. Thiago Pitarch will remain a permanent member of the first-team dynamic for the 2026–27 campaign.
While he will wear the reserve index No. 45 due to La Liga senior squad number registration caps, do not let the shirt number fool you. Operationally and tactically, José Mourinho considers Pitarch a fundamental part of his midfield setup.
Despite a minor pre-season injury setback delaying his full integration on the pitch, Mourinho has received glowing reports from the coaching staff regarding Pitarch’s tactical awareness, press-resistance, and passing range.
The Midfield Battles Ahead
With Real Madrid’s pursuit of Manchester City’s Rodri effectively off the table, Pitarch’s role becomes crucial. The 19-year-old gives Mourinho a composure-heavy metronome capable of dictating play from deep—a quality the engine room desperately craved during transition phases last season.
Pitarch will fight directly for minutes alongside world-class competition across the double pivot:
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Eduardo Camavinga
- Federico Valverde
- Bernardo Silva
The RMxtra Verdict
This is exactly the type of decision Madridistas want to see. When a player from La Fábrica proves he has the heart, character, and technical brilliance to wear the crest, he must be rewarded. Pitarch turned down guaranteed Premier League minutes because he wants to succeed at the hardest, most demanding club on earth.
Under Mourinho, the path is clear: earn your spot, respect the shirt, and bring trophies back to the Bernabéu.
