Pizzi

Luis 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.

After a successful loan at Pacos 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 Braganca, 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. 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. Covilha of the Segunda Liga in 2009. On 10 January 2010, he joined top-flight club F.C. Pacos de Ferreira.

In 2010–11, Pizzi scored seven league goals for Pacos, 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. He scored twice on 3 March in a 4–3 win at C.D. Nacional to qualify the team for the 2011 Taca da Liga Final.

Spain

On 30 August 2011 Pizzi moved to Spanish team Atletico 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, which they did in October of the following year. 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

This page also has a version in other languages :  Пицци (russian)