Pizzi Biography, Career Records, Net Worth, Personal Life and More

Portugal’s Pizzi is a professional footballer who not only represents his country on an international scale but also plays for the club, Benfica. He is seen playing as central midfielder.

Pizzi Biography

After having a successful tenure on loan with Paços de Ferreira, he moved to Spain and lived there for three years with various teams. He played in 74 matches in La Liga, making 12 goals. He played in more than 100 matches with S.L. Benfica, and helped win eight domestic honours, which includes three back-to-back Primeira Liga titles. He debuted in senior international football for Portugal in 2012. He was a member of the 2017 squad of Confederations Cup.

Pizzi Biography

Pizzi Youth Career

Pizzi started his youth career in 1997 with G.D. Braganca, based in his hometown, and in 2007, he became part of the third tier. The same year, he joined the youth team of S.C. Braga, graduating to the senior team of the Primeira Liga club in 2008.

Pizzi S.C. Braga Career

After joining S.C. Braga in 2008, he spent most of the time being loaned out, as he started with Ribeirão and then appearing professionally in his first games with Segunda Liga’s S.C. Covilhã in 2009. In January 2010, he was loaned out to the top-flight team F.C. Paços de Ferreira. In that season, he made seven goals in the league for Paços. In May 2011, he made a hat-trick at Porto in a 3–3 draw. He scored two goals in March in a 4–3 victory at C.D. Nacional in the qualification for Taça da Liga Final in 2011.

Pizzi Atletico Madrid Career

In August 2011 Pizzi was loaned to one of the richest football clubs and famous Spanish team Atlético Madrid, till the end of the season. After that, there was an opportunity for the Colchoneros to rope him in permanently for a sum of €13.5 million. They went ahead with it in October, and debuted in La Liga in September 2011, in a 4–0 win over Racing de Santander. He made his single Atlético goal by opening the 3–2 victory over Levante UD in November, and made 15 appearances, three of which were in the UEFA Europa League in which the team emerged victorious.

Initially, when he was still under contract with Braga, Pizzi joined Deportivo de La Coruña in 2012–13. In just the second game, he helped made a penalty kick and helped his team return from 1–3 for a 3–3 tie, and scored the last goal for his team. He made a brace against Barcelona in October 2012 – though his team had a 4–5 loss. In July 2013, Pizzi joined S.L. Benfica by signing a contract of six years, and his fee was €6 million for 50% of his economic rights, and was loaned out to RCD Espanyol immediately.

Pizzi Spanish Career

Pizzi Benfica Career

In the 2014–15, Pizzi joined Benfica and started playing as central midfielder instead of winger. In October 2014, he made his debut in a 4–0 victory in Primeira Liga against Arouca. In January 2015, he made his first goal for his new team, as he netted a penalty shot, in a 4–0 victory against Arouca, in the league cup’s third round. In February, Pizzi scored the first goal for the team in the league, beating Estoril with a score of 6–0.  He made 12 goals in 48 matches in 2016–17 as Benfica earned a domestic double. In December 2017, during a game against Porto, a Porto supporter attacked him in the back; Porto faced a ban of two matches, and a fine of only €2,860.

Pizi Portugal Career

Pizzi has been associated with Portugal since 2008, when he joined the U19 team. In 2010, he joined the U21 team. He finally debuted for the senior team of Portugal in a friendly November 2012, played with Gabon, and made a penalty shot in a 2–2 tie in Libreville. He got picked for the Confederations Cup 2017, in Russia, and played in two games, as Portugal eventually acquired the third place in the tournament.

Pizzi Portugal Career

Pizzi Personal Life

Pizzi’s actual name is Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes. He was born in Bragança, a city in the north-east of Portugal, where he began his career as a child.

Pizzi Net Worth

The current market value of Pizzi is €20 million, which is his highest so far, reaching the point in 2017. His highest transfer fee so far is €14 million.

Pizzi Individual Awards

For his amazing contributions, he is considered as an important player of every team he has been associated with. His skills have been recognized the following awards:

1. Primeira Liga – Player of the Month: October, November, and December 2016
2. Primeira Liga – Player of the Year: 2016–17