Real Madrid send Spanish-Moroccan Thiago Pitarch back to Castilla

Real Madrid have taken the decision to return promising midfielder Thiago Pitarch to their reserve side Real Madrid Castilla, marking a shift in his short-term development path after a spell training with the senior squad.

The young academy graduate had been working regularly with the first team since February, earning valuable exposure under Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa before the latest adjustment to his role within the club structure.

His return comes as Castilla prepare for a key fixture in the Premier League International Cup semi-final against Dinamo Zagreb in London, a match that forms part of their broader push in the competition.

Pitarch’s reintegration into the reserve setup also follows a prolonged absence from competitive action at that level. His last appearance for Castilla dates back to February 8, when he featured against Pontevedra, and he has not played for the B team since that outing.

During that period, he remained closely involved with senior training sessions but did not register further minutes in reserve matches.

Despite his time around the first team, Pitarch remained the only academy player yet to feature again for Castilla since their promotion push gained momentum, making his return both timely and strategically significant. With Real Madrid’s senior side now operating in a relatively low-pressure environment domestically, attention has increasingly turned to development pathways and squad management for emerging talents.

Castilla’s ongoing battle for a place in the promotion playoffs has created an opportunity for the midfielder to regain consistent minutes. His presence is expected to strengthen their midfield options as they enter a crucial phase of the campaign, where squad depth and rotation could prove decisive.

While his temporary step back from the first-team environment may appear a setback on the surface, the move is widely viewed internally as a practical decision aimed at ensuring sustained competitive development through regular match exposure at reserve level.