Pizzi (Portuguese footballer)
A creative Portuguese midfield engine whose vision and passing mastery fueled Benfica's domestic dominance for nearly a decade.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Portuguese footballer·Birthday: October 6·Millennials
Biography
Pizzi's story is one of late-blooming excellence and unwavering loyalty. After bouncing between several clubs in his early twenties, he found a permanent home at Benfica in 2013. There, under the guidance of manager Jorge Jesus, he evolved from a promising talent into the metronome of one of Portugal's most successful modern sides. Operating primarily on the right side of midfield, his technical quality, intelligent movement, and knack for crucial goals made him indispensable. He became the symbol of a Benfica era defined by Primeira Liga titles, captaining the side and consistently ranking among the league's top assist providers before embarking on a new chapter in his thirties.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Pizzi was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Pizzi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Pizzi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won five Primeira Liga titles with Benfica, serving as team captain for several seasons.
- Was named the Primeira Liga's Midfielder of the Year for the 2018-19 season.
- Led the Primeira Liga in assists during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns.
- Made over 350 appearances for Benfica, scoring more than 80 goals from midfield.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Pizzi' comes from his father, who was also called Pizzi.
He played for Atlético Madrid in Spain before finding his greatest success upon returning to Portugal with Benfica.
He holds both Portuguese and Angolan citizenship.
“I give everything for this club in every single match.”
