Mourinho keeps faith with Thiago Pitarch as Real Madrid youngster gets unusual fitness advice

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch remains part of his first-team plans, despite interest from other clubs, before joking that the 19-year-old needs to add a few kilograms through hard training.

Mourinho said Pitarch had shown he was capable of competing at senior level and rejected the idea of the teenager leaving the club. The manager was speaking at a press conference at Valdebebas, where his closing comment about Pitarch’s physique prompted laughter from journalists.

“ He is a first-team player, I like him very much. He has distinctive qualities, and he is part of this group of 21 players,” Mourinho said.

The Portuguese added that Pitarch would join the first-team group as soon as he was ready and would be given opportunities to play.

Although Pitarch is currently registered with Real Madrid Castilla, Mourinho made clear that the midfielder is being considered as part of the senior squad. That status was also reflected in the player signing a new contract with the club as a first-team footballer, a move that underlines the coaching staff’s confidence in his ability.

Mourinho said Pitarch’s regular appearances for Castilla had provided clear evidence that he could perform at a higher level. However, he believes the teenager now needs to be tested in a more demanding competition than the one in which Castilla currently plays.

The manager also credited Alvaro with helping Pitarch secure a significant number of opportunities for Castilla. Those appearances, Mourinho suggested, had allowed the club to assess the youngster’s qualities in competitive matches and confirmed that he has the attributes required to step up.

But Mourinho’s assessment was not limited to Pitarch’s footballing ability. He ended his comments with a light-hearted observation about the midfielder’s physical development.

“The only thing I will say to him is that the muscles in his legs look like the muscles in my legs, and he has to gain a few kilograms through hard training,” Mourinho said.

The remark brought laughter inside the press conference room, but the broader message was serious: Mourinho sees Pitarch as a player with a future in the first team and believes his next challenge should come at a higher level.

Pitarch’s continued involvement in Mourinho’s plans follows his many outings for Castilla and the trust shown by the club through his new contract. Despite his current registration with the reserve side, the manager considers him part of the senior set-up and intends to give him a chance once he is ready to join the group.