Real Madrid's Thiago Pitarch future discussed amid wave of Spanish academy exits

Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch, an 18‑year‑old who helped Spain win the European Under‑19 Championship, is awaiting a meeting with manager José Mourinho to decide whether he will stay in the first‑team squad, be loaned out or take another role. Pitarch's performance this season earned him a professional contract, and his next steps depend on Mourinho’s assessment.

At the same time, a pattern of young Spanish talents leaving domestic academies for larger European clubs continues. Former Deportivo La Coruña academy players such as Raúl Lema, Álvaro Carreras, Angeliño and others have moved to clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and others, with varying degrees of success. The trend highlights the difficulty Spanish clubs face in retaining promising youngsters.