Rodolfo Pizarro facts for kids
Pizarro with Inter Miami in 2023
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 15 February 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Mazatlán | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Orinegros Ciudad Madero | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Pachuca | ||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2016 | Pachuca | 134 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Guadalajara | 45 | (13) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Monterrey | 51 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2023 | Inter Miami | 59 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | → Monterrey (loan) | 30 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | AEK Athens | 16 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Mazatlán | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Mexico U21 | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Mexico U23 | 8 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2022 | Mexico | 37 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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† Appearances (Goals). |
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Rodolfo Gilbert Pizarro Thomas (born February 15, 1994) is a Mexican professional football player. He plays as an attacking midfielder for the Liga MX club Mazatlán.
Pizarro started playing for the main team of Pachuca in 2012. He stayed there until 2016 when he was sold to Guadalajara. He played for Guadalajara for a year and a half. During this time, he helped the team win their twelfth league title, which was their first in 11 years. They also won the Clausura 2017 Copa MX and the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League.
After Guadalajara, he moved to Monterrey. There, he helped them win the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League and the Liga MX after a long wait. In February 2020, he joined Inter Miami in the United States. He later returned to Monterrey for a short loan in 2022.
Rodolfo Pizarro has also played for Mexico's national teams. He has represented the U-21, U-23, and the senior teams. He played for Mexico at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also participated in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cups.
Contents
Club Career
Playing for Pachuca
Pizarro began his youth football journey with Orinegros Ciudad Madero. In 2011, he joined the Pachuca Youth System. He made his first appearance for the senior team on September 14, 2012. He came into the game as a substitute in the 71st minute during a 3–2 win against Morelia. When he first started, he played as a right-back.
On February 19, 2013, he scored his first goal. This happened during a Copa MX group stage match against Dorados de Sinaloa. Pachuca lost that game 5–2.
Pizarro, along with his teammates Hirving Lozano and Érick Gutiérrez, were very important. They helped Pachuca win the Clausura 2016 championship.
Time at Guadalajara
In December 2016, Pachuca announced that Pizarro was moving to Guadalajara. The transfer was reported to be for $15 million. As part of the deal, Víctor Guzmán moved permanently to Pachuca. On January 7, 2017, Pizarro played his first game for Guadalajara against Club Universidad Nacional. He played the entire match, which Guadalajara won 2–1. A week later, Pizarro scored his first goal for Guadalajara. It was a long-range shot against Monterrey, and the game ended in a 2–2 tie.
In April, Guadalajara won the Clausura Copa MX final against Morelia. The next month, Pizarro was key in the Clausura championship. He scored in the first game of the final against Tigres UANL. Guadalajara went on to win the title, ending an eleven-year wait for a league championship. This win meant Guadalajara achieved their first "Double" (winning both the league and a cup) since the 1969–70 season.
In the first game of the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League Finals against Major League Soccer team Toronto FC, Pizarro scored the first goal very early in the game. Guadalajara won that match 2–1, and Pizarro was named Man of the Match. Guadalajara won the finals after a penalty shoot-out (4–2). Pizarro received the Best Young Player award and was named to the Best XI team of the tournament.
Joining Monterrey
On June 4, 2018, it was officially announced that Pizarro was moving to Monterrey. The transfer was for about $16 million, making him the most expensive transfer between two Liga MX clubs at that time. He joined his former Pachuca manager, Diego Alonso. Pizarro played his first game for Monterrey on July 21, 2018. It was a 1–0 win against his old club, Pachuca. On November 5, he scored his first goal for Monterrey in a 2–0 win over Veracruz.
He was a very important player for Monterrey. He helped them win the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League Finals title against their rivals Tigres UANL. This was Monterrey's fourth title. With this win, Pizarro and his teammate Angel Zaldívar became the first players to win this tournament in two years in a row with two different teams. After his first season with Monterrey, he was named to the Best XI team for the Clausura tournament.
After playing well for Mexico in the summer, there were rumors that Pizarro might join A.C. Milan in Italy. On December 14, he was named Man of the Match after Monterrey's 3–2 win over Al Sadd at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. At the end of the month, he helped Monterrey win the Apertura championship against América. Pizarro started in both final games.
Playing for Inter Miami
On February 14, 2020, Pizarro left Monterrey to join Major League Soccer team Inter Miami. He rejoined coach Diego Alonso, who had coached him at both Pachuca and Monterrey. The next day, Pizarro scored the first goal for Inter Miami in a friendly game, even though his signing was not yet officially announced.
On February 17, Pizarro's move to Miami was made official. He was named the club's second Designated Player. Pizarro played in the team's first league game on March 1, which was a 1–0 loss to Los Angeles FC. The following week, he scored the team's first league goal in a 1–2 loss against D.C. United. Towards the end of his first season, he was nominated for the Landon Donovan MVP Award.
On January 4, 2022, Pizarro went back to Monterrey for a one-year loan. On July 14, 2023, Inter Miami and Pizarro agreed to end his contract.
Moving to AEK Athens
On July 17, 2023, Pizarro signed a two-year contract with the Super League Greece club AEK Athens. He also had an option to extend his contract for another year. This move meant he would play again for his former Guadalajara manager Matías Almeyda and former Guadalajara teammate Orbelín Pineda.
Back in Mexico with Mazatlán
On September 16, 2024, Pizarro returned to Mexico. He joined the Mazatlán club.
International Career
Youth Teams
Pizarro was chosen by coach Raúl Gutiérrez to play in the 2014 Toulon Tournament for Mexico's U-21 team. Mexico did not make it past the group stage in that tournament.
On September 18, 2015, Rodolfo Pizarro was selected by coach Raúl Gutiérrez again. This time, it was for the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship. Mexico won this tournament and qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Pizarro was named to the tournament's Best XI team.
On July 7, 2016, Pizarro was part of Mexico's 18-player squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Mexico's first group game against Germany, he scored Mexico's second goal, making the score 2–1. The game eventually ended in a 2–2 tie. In Mexico's second group game against Fiji, Pizarro and teammate Oribe Peralta got injured. They were replaced by other players.
Senior National Team
On January 29, 2014, Pizarro played his first game for the senior national team. It was a friendly match against South Korea, and he played the whole 90 minutes. On February 10, 2016, Pizarro scored his first goal for Mexico. It was in the 87th minute of a friendly match against Senegal, and Mexico won 2–0.
On June 28, 2017, Pizarro was called up to play in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the quarter-final match against Honduras, he scored the only goal of the game in the 4th minute, leading Mexico to a 1–0 win.
Pizarro was surprisingly not included in the 23-player squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
When Gerardo Martino became Mexico's new coach, Pizarro was given more chances to play. In March 2019, Pizarro said it was encouraging that Martino treated players from the Mexican league with the same importance as those playing in Europe. He was included in Mexico's first list for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and then made it to the final team. Before the Gold Cup started, he had a small injury. He didn't play until the final group stage match against Martinique. He came on as a substitute at halftime and helped Raúl Jiménez score Mexico's second goal in a 3–2 victory. In the final against the United States, he seemed to hurt his left elbow in the first half but kept playing in the second half. He helped Mexico build up the play for the winning goal, and they won the tournament.
How He Plays
Pizarro is a player who can play in many different positions. He started his career at Pachuca as a right-back. Over time, he became a very flexible and skilled midfielder. He has played as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and eventually settled as a winger and attacking midfielder. When he was at Guadalajara, his manager Matías Almeyda sometimes used him as a "goal poacher" (a player who is good at scoring goals).
People have described him as a "classy operator of the ball." This means Pizarro is very good with the ball. He can make good passes and find ways to get through tough defenses. He is also smart enough to play as a "number 10" (a player who creates scoring chances). He can start creative plays from the midfield and help build up attacks closer to the opponent's goal. He is also strong and works hard. He can keep the ball well and knows how to get into good positions to score. Pizarro also has a very powerful right foot and can shoot strongly from far away. He can hold onto the ball even when many opponents are around him. His great technique allows him to run comfortably with the ball. Many people say he is a player who can make a big difference in important moments. He also plays as an inverted winger, which means he often moves from the side of the field towards the center, allowing the full-backs to run forward.
Career Numbers
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Pachuca | 2012–13 | Liga MX | 16 | 0 | 9 | 1 | — | — | 25 | 1 | ||
| 2013–14 | 39 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 0 | ||||
| 2014–15 | 35 | 2 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 39 | 2 | ||||
| 2015–16 | 37 | 6 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 42 | 7 | |||
| 2016–17 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 134 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 155 | 10 | ||
| Guadalajara | 2016–17 | Liga MX | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 18 | 7 | ||
| 2017–18 | 29 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | — | 40 | 8 | |||
| Total | 45 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | 58 | 15 | |||
| Monterrey | 2018–19 | Liga MX | 30 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 7 |
| 2019–20 | 21 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 51 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 64 | 9 | ||
| Inter Miami | 2020 | MLS | 19 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 20 | 4 | ||
| 2021 | 27 | 3 | — | — | — | 27 | 3 | |||||
| 2023 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 59 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 62 | 7 | |||
| Monterrey (loan) | 2021–22 | Liga MX | 11 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23 | 19 | 0 | — | — | — | 19 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 30 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 32 | 1 | ||||
| AEK Athens | 2023–24 | Super League Greece | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | |
| Mazatlán | 2024–25 | Liga MX | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 335 | 37 | 26 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 393 | 42 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2014 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 37 | 5 | |
- Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pizarro goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 February 2016 | Marlins Park, Miami, United States |  Senegal |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 2 | 1 July 2017 | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, United States |  Paraguay |
1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 3 | 20 July 2017 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, United States |  Honduras |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
| 4 | 5 June 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States |  Venezuela |
2–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 5 | 15 October 2019 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico |  Panama |
3–1 | 3–1 | 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A |
Awards and Trophies
Pachuca
- Liga MX: Clausura 2016
Guadalajara
- Liga MX: Clausura 2017
- Copa MX: Clausura 2017
- CONCACAF Champions League: 2018
Monterrey
- Liga MX: Apertura 2019
- CONCACAF Champions League: 2019
Mexico U23
- CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2015
Mexico
- CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2019
Individual Awards
- CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship Best XI: 2015
- CONCACAF Champions League Best Young Player: 2018
- CONCACAF Champions League Best XI: 2018
- Liga MX Best XI: Clausura 2019
- MLS All-Star: 2021
See also
In Spanish: Rodolfo Pizarro para niños
