Pizzi (Portuguese footballer)

Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes (born 6 October 1989), known as Pizzi (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpizi]), is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Benfica and the Portugal national team as a central midfielder.

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Afonso and the second or paternal family name is Fernandes.
Pizzi
Personal information
Full name Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes[1]
Date of birth (1989-10-06) 6 October 1989[1]
Place of birth Bragança, Portugal
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder, Winger
Club information
Current team
 Benfica
Number 21
Youth career
1999-2000 Mãe d'Água
2000–2007 Bragança
2007–2008 Braga
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007 Bragança 4 (1)
2008–2012 Braga 2 (0)
2008–2009 → Ribeirão (loan) 25 (1)
2009 → Covilhã (loan) 14 (4)
2010–2011 → Paços Ferreira (loan) 42 (8)
2011–2012 → Atlético Madrid (loan) 11 (1)
2012–2013 Atlético Madrid 0 (0)
2012–2013 → Deportivo La Coruña (loan) 35 (8)
2013– Benfica 198 (59)
2013–2014 → Espanyol (loan) 28 (3)
National team‡
2008 Portugal U19 4 (1)
2010–2011 Portugal U21 2 (0)
2011 Portugal U23 1 (0)
2012– Portugal 17 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 01 December 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2019

After a successful loan at Paços de Ferreira, he spent three years in Spain with as many teams, totalling 74 games and 12 goals in La Liga. He has played over 300 games for Benfica, winning ten domestic honours including four Primeira Liga titles, three of which consecutively.

Pizzi made his senior international debut for Portugal in 2012 and was part of their squad at the 2017 Confederations Cup and 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, winning the latter tournament.

Club career

Early years

Born in Bragança, Pizzi earned his nickname from playing as a child in a replica FC Barcelona jersey when Juan Antonio Pizzi was the Spanish club's striker.[3] He began his career with hometown club G.D. Braganca in the third tier in 2007. A year later, he joined Primeira Liga club S.C. Braga, spending most of his time out on loan and making his first professional appearances with S.C. Covilhã of the Segunda Liga in 2009. On 10 January 2010, he joined top-flight club F.C. Paços de Ferreira.[4]

In 2010–11, Pizzi scored seven league goals for Paços, only missing three league matches. On 8 May 2011 he netted a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw at Porto, which turned out to be the only home league game that the eventual champions failed to win during the season.[5] He scored twice on 3 March in a 4–3 win at C.D. Nacional to qualify the team for the 2011 Taça da Liga Final.[6]

Spain
Pizzi celebrating a goal against rivals Celta Vigo in October 2012

On 30 August 2011 Pizzi moved to Spanish team Atlético Madrid, on loan until the end of the year, after which the Colchoneros had an option to buy the player permanently for €13.5 million,[7][8] which they did in October of the following year.[9][10] He made his La Liga debut on 18 September 2011, replacing also newly signed Radamel Falcao midway through the second half of a 4–0 home win against Racing de Santander.[11] He scored his only Atlético goal to open a 3–2 win over Levante UD also at the Vicente Calderón Stadium on 20 November,[12] totalling 15 appearances of which three were in the victorious UEFA Europa League campaign.

Along with several compatriots, initially still under contract with Braga, Pizzi moved to Deportivo de La Coruña for the 2012–13 campaign. In only his second appearance, through a penalty kick, he helped the Galicians come back from 1–3 at Valencia CF for a final 3–3 draw, scoring his team's last goal;[13] he added a brace against FC Barcelona on 20 October 2012 – one of the goals coming through a free kick – but his team lost 4–5 at the Riazor Stadium.[14]

On 26 July 2013 Pizzi signed a six-year contract with S.L. Benfica, for a fee of €6 million for half of his economic rights,[15] being immediately loaned to RCD Espanyol also in Spain's top flight.[16][17]

Benfica

In the 2014–15 season, Pizzi joined Portuguese champions Benfica and was converted from winger to central midfielder, like his predecessor Enzo Pérez. On 5 October 2014, Pizzi debuted in a 4–0 win against Arouca in Primeira Liga.[18][19] On 14 January 2015, Pizzi scored his first goal for Benfica, from a penalty kick, in another 4–0 home win against Arouca, this time in the third round of league cup.[20] On 28 February, Pizzi scored his first goal for Benfica in the league, in the thrashing of Estoril (6–0).[21]

Pizzi (left), Eduardo Salvio and Franco Cervi celebrating a goal against Dynamo Kyiv in October 2016

Pizzi scored 12 times in 48 games over the 2016–17 season as Benfica won a domestic double. He was voted Player of the Month consecutively from October/November to December,[22] and eventually Player of the Season at the LPFP Awards.[23]

On 1 December 2017, during the Porto vs Benfica match, Pizzi was attacked in the back by a supporter of Porto who invaded the pitch; Porto faced a maximum of two behind closed doors matches but was only fined €2,860.[24][25]

On 10 August 2018, Pizzi scored a first-half hat-trick in a 3–2 home win over Vitória de Guimarães in the opening (league) match of the 2018–19 season,[26] and was again voted Player of the Month for August 2018.[27] He scored 15 goals and made 23 assists in 55 matches overall that season as Benfica regained the league title, and at its conclusion he signed a new contract until 2023.[28]

Pizzi scored twice in the 2019 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira on 4 August, a 5–0 win over city rivals Sporting CP at the Estádio Algarve.[29] By scoring twice on 14 December in a 4–0 win over F.C. Famalicão he had recorded 16 goals for the season, 11 of which in the league, making it already his highest-scoring season.[30] He ended the season with 18, joint-best alongside teammate Carlos Vinícius and Rio Ave's Mehdi Taremi.[31]

On 16 December 2020, Pizzi made his 300th Benfica appearance in a penalty shootout win over Vitória de Guimarães in the league cup quarter-finals; he scored a late spot-kick to draw the game 1–1.[32]

International career

Pizzi made his debut for Portugal on 14 November 2012 in a friendly with Gabon, scoring through a penalty in an eventual 2–2 draw in Libreville.[33]

He was selected for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia,[34] playing two matches as the Portuguese finished third.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 01 December 2020[35][36]
Club Season League Cup(s) Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bragança 2006–07 Second Division 4100—41
Braga 2007–08 Primeira Liga 0000—00
Ribeirão (loan) 2008–09 Second Division 25100—251
Covilhã (loan) 2009–10 Segunda Liga 14440—184
Paços Ferreira (loan) Primeira Liga 12121—142
2010–11 27784—3511
Braga 2011–12 20000020
Atlético Madrid (loan) 2011–12 La Liga 1112030161
Deportivo (loan) 2012–13 35810—368
Espanyol (loan) 2013–14 28361—344
Benfica 2014–15 Primeira Liga 2327210314
2015–16 31760100477
2016–17 3310113805213
2017–18 3366060456
2018–19 3413701425515
2019–20 341897855130
2020–21 820054136
Total 196584612521129481
Career total 3538369185511477112

International
As of match played 17 November 2019[37]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal 201211
201310
201400
201520
201600
201751
201840
201941
Total173

International goals
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first.[37]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 November 2012Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon Gabon1–12–2Friendly
2.3 June 2017Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, Estoril, Portugal Cyprus3–04–0Friendly
3.14 November 2019Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal Lithuania3–06–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours

Club

Paços de Ferreira[36]

Atlético de Madrid[36]

Benfica[36]

International

Portugal

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017: List of players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 20 March 2018. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  2. "Pizzi". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  3. "Alcunha de Pizzi graças a... Pizzi" [Pizzi's nickname is thanks to... Pizzi]. Record (in Spanish). 17 February 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  4. "Pizzi da saída para o Paços de Ferreira" [Pizzi leaving for Paços de Ferreira]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 10 January 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  5. Vitoria Setubal beat Sporting to guarantee survival, Naval & Portimonense relegated; PortuGOAL, 8 May 2011
  6. "Pizzi destaque "contra ataque" do Paços" [Pizzi highlights Paços' "counter attack"]. SAPO Desporto (in Portuguese). 4 March 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  7. Relatório e contas anuais (Yearly report and finance) Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Braga's official website, 23 September 2011 (Portuguese)
  8. Official: Atletico Madrid sign Pizzi from Sporting Braga on loan; Goal.com, 30 August 2011
  9. Relatório e contas anual (Yearly report and finance) Archived 22 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Braga's official website, 16 October 2012 (Portuguese)
  10. El Atlético paga por Pizzi 13,5 millones en cuatro años (Atlético pays 13,5 million for Pizzi in four years); Diario AS, 18 October 2012 (Spanish)
  11. Falcao hits hat-trick in romp; ESPN Soccernet, 18 September 2011
  12. "Con Reyes la cosa cambia" [With Reyes it changes]. Marca (in Spanish). 20 November 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  13. Deportivo battle back for victory; ESPN Soccernet, 26 August 2012
  14. Deportivo 4–5 Barcelona: Messi hits hat-trick as the Riazor rains goals; Goal.com, 20 October 2012
  15. "Pizzi jugará en el Benfica" [Pizzi will play in Benfica]. Atlético Madrid (in Spanish). 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  16. "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF). CMVM (in Portuguese). 31 July 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  17. "Pizzi i Sidnei, nous reforços" [Pizzi and Sidnei, new signings]. RCD Espanyol (in Catalan). 29 July 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  18. "Pizzi: "Dar o máximo para estar à disposição de Jorge Jesus"". Benfica (in Portuguese). 5 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  19. "SL Benfica – Arouca, 4-0: Resposta de Campeão consolida liderança!". S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). 5 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  20. "Benfica - Arouca (Fase 3 - jornada 2 Taça da Liga 2014-2015) - Liga Portugal". LPFP (in Portuguese). 14 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  21. "Benfica - Estoril (Jornada 23 Liga NOS 2014-2015) - Liga Portugal". LPFP (in Portuguese). 28 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  22. "Pizzi foi o melhor do mês em dezembro" [Pizzi was player of the month in December]. zerozero (in Portuguese). 12 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  23. "Pizzi eleito o melhor jogador do ano" [Pizzi voted best player of the year]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 7 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  24. "Invasão de adepto no clássico vale multa de 2.869 euros" [Pitch invasion in the Classic results in 2,869 euro fine]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  25. "Invasão de campo e agressão a Pizzi. FC Porto escapa a jogos à porta fechada" [Pitch invasion and assault against Pizzi. FC Porto escapes behind closed doors matches]. Renascença (in Portuguese). 19 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  26. "Pizzi hace un hat-trick y el Benfica sufre para ganar" [Pizzi scores a hat-trick and Benfica suffer to win]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 10 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  27. "Pizzi vence prémio de jogador do mês" [Pizzi wins best player of the month award]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 17 September 2018. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  28. "Pizzi renova contrato até 2023" [Pizzi renews contract until 2023]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  29. "Benfica stick five past Sporting in season curtain-raiser". PortuGOAL. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  30. "Jogador brigantino a caminho de uma época histórica" [Bragança-born player on track for a historic season]. Jornal Nordeste (in Portuguese). 17 December 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  31. "Carlos Vinicius [sic] vai ser o melhor marcador da Liga: "É sempre bom"" [Carlos Vinícius will be the top scorer in the Liga: "It's always good"]. Record (in Portuguese). 25 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  32. "Pizzi fez o 300.º jogo pelo Benfica: «Vitória de muita crença»" [Pizzi plays 300th game for Benfica: "Victory with a lot of belief"]. Record (in Portuguese). 17 December 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  33. "Gabon 2–2 Portugal: Seleccao pay the penalty for defensive indiscipline". Goal. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  34. "FIFA Confederations Cup squads". The Times of India. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  35. Pizzi at ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  36. Pizzi at Soccerway
  37. "Pizzi". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  38. Ribeiro, Patrick (2 July 2017). "Portugal secure bronze at Confederations Cup". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  39. "Pizzi (SL Benfica), Paulinho (Portimonense) e Brahimi (FC Porto) destacam-se em outubro/novembro" [Pizzi (SL Benfica), Paulinho (Portimonense) e Brahimi (FC Porto) stand out in October/November]. Liga Portugal (in Portuguese). 14 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  40. "Pizzi eleito o Melhor Jogador do Mês da Liga NOS" [Pizzi elected Liga NOS Player of the Month]. Liga Portugal (in Portuguese). 12 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  41. "SJPF revela os melhores 11 de 2016" [SPFP discloses best 11 of 2016] (in Portuguese). SJPF. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  42. "Sindicato revela os melhores 11 de 2017" [Union discloses best 11 of 2017] (in Portuguese). SJPF. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  43. "Liga portuguesa 2018/19: Melhor Jogador" [2018–19 Portuguese league: Best Player]. UEFA (in Portuguese). 22 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
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