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Rodolfo Pizarro facts for kids

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Pizarro and the second or maternal family name is Thomas.
Quick facts for kids
Rodolfo Pizarro
Pizarrointermiami.jpg
Pizarro with Inter Miami in 2023
Personal information
Full name Rodolfo Gilbert Pizarro Thomas
Date of birth (1994-02-15) 15 February 1994 (age 31)
Place of birth Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Juárez
Number 17
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)
2024–2025 Mazatlán 21 (0)
2025– Juárez 1 (1)
International career‡
2014 Mexico U21 3 (0)
2015–2016 Mexico U23 8 (1)
2014–2022 Mexico 37 (5)
Medal record
Men's football
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Representing  Mexico
Winner 2019 United States
Runner-up 2021 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 March 2025
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 June 2022

Rodolfo Gilbert Pizarro Thomas (born February 15, 1994) is a Mexican professional footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder for the Liga MX club Juárez.

Pizarro started his professional career with Pachuca. He played there for four years. Then he moved to Guadalajara, where he had great success. About a year and a half later, he joined Monterrey. His transfer to Monterrey was the most expensive in the league's history at that time. Pizarro also played for Inter Miami, AEK Athens, and Mazatlán.

He has played for Mexico's national teams at different levels. These include the Under-21, Under-23, and senior teams. He represented Mexico in the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also played in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cups.

Club Career Highlights

Starting with Pachuca

Pizarro began his youth career with Orinegros Ciudad Madero. He joined the Pachuca Youth System in 2011. Pizarro made his first team debut on September 14, 2012. He came in as a substitute in 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 match against Dorados de Sinaloa. Pizarro, along with teammates Hirving Lozano and Érick Gutiérrez, helped Pachuca win the Clausura 2016 championship.

Success with Guadalajara

In December 2016, Pizarro moved to Guadalajara. The deal was reportedly worth around $15 million. He made his debut on January 7, 2017, in a 2–1 win. A week later, he scored his first goal for Guadalajara against Monterrey.

In April 2017, Guadalajara won the Clausura Copa MX final. The next month, Pizarro helped Guadalajara win the Clausura championship. He scored in the first game of the final. This win ended an eleven-year wait for a league title. Guadalajara also won their first "Double" (two major titles in one season) since 1969–70.

In the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League Finals, Pizarro scored a goal very early in the game. Guadalajara won the finals after a penalty shoot-out. Pizarro was named the Best Young Player of the tournament. He was also included in the tournament's Best XI team.

Joining Monterrey

On June 4, 2018, Pizarro transferred to Monterrey. This move cost around $16 million. It made him the most expensive player transfer between Liga MX clubs. He reunited with his former Pachuca manager, Diego Alonso. Pizarro debuted with Monterrey on July 21, 2018, in a 1–0 win against Pachuca. He scored his first goal for the team on November 5.

Pizarro was a key player when Monterrey won the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League Finals. They beat their rivals, Tigres UANL. This made Pizarro one of the first players to win this tournament two years in a row with different teams. After his first season, he was named in the Best XI for the Clausura tournament.

In December 2019, Pizarro was named "Man of the Match" in a FIFA Club World Cup game. At the end of the month, he helped Monterrey win the Apertura championship.

Time with Inter Miami

On February 14, 2020, Pizarro moved to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami. He joined coach Diego Alonso for the third time. The next day, Pizarro scored the first goal for Miami in a friendly game. His move to Miami was officially announced on February 17. He was named the club's second "Designated Player."

Pizarro played in the team's first league game on March 1. The following week, he scored the team's first league goal. Towards the end of his first season, he was nominated for the Landon Donovan MVP Award.

On January 4, 2022, Pizarro returned to Monterrey on a one-year loan. On July 14, 2023, Inter Miami and Pizarro ended his contract.

Recent Career Moves

On July 17, 2023, Pizarro signed a two-year contract with Super League Greece club AEK Athens. He rejoined his former Guadalajara manager, Matías Almeyda, and teammate Orbelín Pineda.

On September 16, 2024, Pizarro came back to Mexico to play for Mazatlán. On June 13, 2025, Pizarro signed with Juárez.

International Career

Youth National Teams

Pizarro played for the Mexico Under-21 team in the 2014 Toulon Tournament. In 2015, he was chosen 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.

In July 2016, Pizarro was part of Mexico's team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He scored a goal in Mexico's first game against Germany. However, he got injured in the second game against Fiji and had to leave the tournament.

Senior National Team

Pizarro made his debut for the senior national team on January 29, 2014. This was in a friendly game against South Korea. On February 10, 2016, he scored his first goal for Mexico in a friendly match against Senegal.

In June 2017, Pizarro was called up for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He scored the only goal in the quarter-final match against Honduras, helping Mexico win 1–0.

Pizarro was not chosen for the 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which was a surprise to some.

With Gerardo Martino as Mexico's new coach, Pizarro became a more important player. He was part of Mexico's team that won the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the final against the United States, he played through an injury and helped Mexico score the winning goal.

Playing Style

Pizarro is a very flexible player who can play in many different positions. He started as a right-back at Pachuca. Later, he became a versatile midfielder, playing as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and eventually as a winger and attacking midfielder. His coach at Guadalajara, Matías Almeyda, sometimes used him as a "goal poacher."

Experts describe Pizarro as a skilled player with the ball. He can make good passes and open up defenses. He is also good at creating chances from midfield. He works hard and is good at keeping the ball. Pizarro can also shoot powerfully from long distances. He is known for being a "difference maker" in important games. He often moves inside from the wing, allowing full-backs to go forward.

Honours and Awards

Pachuca

  • Liga MX: Clausura 2016 (League Champion)

Guadalajara

Monterrey

Mexico U23

  • CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2015

Mexico

Individual Awards

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rodolfo Pizarro para niños

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