David Pizarro
Encyclopedia
David Marcelo Pizarro Cortés (born 11 September 1979 in Valparaíso
, Chile
) is a Chile
an football Midfielder
. Pizarro. He also plays for the Chile national team
, for which he won the Bronze medal at 2000 Summer Olympics
, at Sydney. Pizarro is a central midfielder, who can operate in a holding position or an attacking position in the hole behind the strikers.
During the stady of Pizarro in the Italian football, he has won one Serie A
title (2005-06
), three Coppa Italia
titles and two Supercoppa Italiana
titles. Pizarro's Italian nickname is "Pek", diminutive of "pequeño", meaning "small" in the Spanish language
, because his short height (1.70 meters).
with the Santiago Wanderers in Valparaíso, Chile.
Pizarro first played European football
with Udinese
in Serie A
.
From there, he was loaned to South American team Universidad de Chile
where he debuted in the Copa Libertadores.
He played well with Udinese under the guidance of coach Luciano Spalletti
.
on a reported fee of €10.000.000 million (plus half of Goran Pandev
rights, which Lazio bought it a year later for €4million) on a four−year deal. At the time, Pizarro claimed that he wanted to retire in the Nerazzurri
shirt. However, Pizarro was on the bench in many occasions, because the competition in the place with the Argentine star Juan Sebastián Verón
.
During his only season with Internazionale, Pizarro won the Italian championship
(due to the Calciopoli scandal), the Supercoppa Italiana
, and the Coppa Italia
.
acquired the 50% of Pizarro's transfer card and he signed a four-year contract with the team of a transfer fee of €6.500.000 million in a co-ownership deal. In Pizarro's arrival to the team, Pizarro wears the number 7 shirt and he was under his former coach in Udinese Calcio
, Luciano Spalletti
.
On 12 September 2006, Pizarro scored his official goal for the team in a 4–0 Champions League
victory over Shaktar Donetsk at 89th minute. Five days later, he scored his second consecutive goal for the Serie A
against AC Siena in a 3–1 victory. He helped to Roma to win the Coppa Italia 2006-07
title, being one of top–scorers of the team with three goals. On 20 June 2007, Roma announced that paid €5.750.000 million to Internazionale
over the next three seasons for the remaining of Pizarro in AS Roma, who had played an important role in the club's last season.
In Roma's next season, Pizarro was a undisputed titular with Daniele De Rossi
on Spalletti's squad. He scored his season goal against SSC Napoli in a 4–4 draw for Serie A
. After of the qualifying of Roma to the Round of 16 in UEFA Champions League 2007-08, Pizarro scored an important goal against Real Madrid
at 24th minute, in a 2–1 Roma's victory. Shortly after, Roma were eliminated against Manchester United F.C.
in the quarterfinals. Pizarro proclaimed once champion of Coppa Italia
, now in the 2007-08
season, newly beating to Inter Milan.
On 1 February 2009, Pizarro scored two goals in the same match against Reggina Calcio
for the Serie A 2008-09
. In the end of Roma 2008-09 season, the contract of the player was expired, but he signed a new three-year contract with Roma
in October 2009. In the 2009-10 season, Pizarro finished with 2 goals, 8 assists in 31 games. He helped to Roma to finish second behind Inter, with the club in contention for the title through the final matchday of the season. In the next season, Pizarro had a strong discussion with the new coach of Roma, Claudio Ranieri
, and the coach put to the player in the transfer window, and clubs as Genoa C.F.C.
and Zenit St. Petersburg attempted to sign to Pizarro. Shorlty after, Roma dismissed the departure of Pizarro of Roma. It was reported that Pizarro was "injured" in the official explanation of Pizarro's absent, however after Ranieri was dismissed, Pizarro returned to the starting line-up.
that year, Chile
manager Nelson Acosta
gave him an opportunity in the senior team.
He played in the 1999 Copa America and also the 2000 Summer Olympics
, where he won the bronze medal. He also participated in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup qualifiers, with Chile failing to qualify on both occasions.
After failing to qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
in Germany, Pizarro announced his retirement from international football, listing several reasons for his decision. He disliked ex-coach Juvenal Olmos
and ex-association president Reinaldo Sánchez. Also, he believed the players on the national team played solely to gain popularity. He also said he wished to spend more time with his family.
In early 2009, Pizarro said that he missed playing international football.
: 2005–06
Supercoppa Italiana
: 2005
Coppa Italia
: 2005–06
: 2007
Coppa Italia
(2): 2006–07, 2007–08
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
) is a Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an football Midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Pizarro. He also plays for the Chile national team
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
, for which he won the Bronze medal at 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, at Sydney. Pizarro is a central midfielder, who can operate in a holding position or an attacking position in the hole behind the strikers.
During the stady of Pizarro in the Italian football, he has won one Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
title (2005-06
Serie A 2005-06
In the 2005–06 season, Serie A, the major professional football league in Italian, was contested for the second year in a row by 20 teams. The league commenced on August 28, 2005 and finished on May 14, 2006...
), three Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
titles and two Supercoppa Italiana
Supercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
titles. Pizarro's Italian nickname is "Pek", diminutive of "pequeño", meaning "small" in the Spanish language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, because his short height (1.70 meters).
Early career
Pizarro started his career as a midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
with the Santiago Wanderers in Valparaíso, Chile.
Pizarro first played European football
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
with Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
.
From there, he was loaned to South American team Universidad de Chile
Universidad de Chile (football club)
Club Universidad de Chile is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.The club was founded on May 24, 1927, as Club Deportivo Universitario. Universidad de Chile is the second most successful and popular football clubs in Chile, having won the...
where he debuted in the Copa Libertadores.
He played well with Udinese under the guidance of coach Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti is a retired Italian footballer and current coach of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.-Playing career:Born in Certaldo, Province of Florence, Spalletti played for Serie C teams such as Entella, Spezia, Viareggio and Empoli....
.
Internazionale
On 14 July 2005, Pizarro was transfer to F.C. Internazionale MilanoF.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
on a reported fee of €10.000.000 million (plus half of Goran Pandev
Goran Pandev
Goran Pandev , is a Macedonian footballer who plays as a forward for Italian Serie A club Napoli on loan from Internazionale. He is also considered a key player for the Macedonian national team.-Early career:...
rights, which Lazio bought it a year later for €4million) on a four−year deal. At the time, Pizarro claimed that he wanted to retire in the Nerazzurri
Nerazzurri
Nerazzurri means "the black and light blue ones" in Italian . It is the nickname and the colours worn by the Italian first division football club FC Internazionale Milano. Its fans, supporters or followers are also called Nerazzurri. Other clubs that go by the same name are:*Atalanta B.C.*Pisa...
shirt. However, Pizarro was on the bench in many occasions, because the competition in the place with the Argentine star Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División....
.
During his only season with Internazionale, Pizarro won the Italian championship
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
(due to the Calciopoli scandal), the Supercoppa Italiana
Supercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
, and the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
.
AS Roma
On 19 August 2006, A.S. RomaA.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
acquired the 50% of Pizarro's transfer card and he signed a four-year contract with the team of a transfer fee of €6.500.000 million in a co-ownership deal. In Pizarro's arrival to the team, Pizarro wears the number 7 shirt and he was under his former coach in Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
, Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti is a retired Italian footballer and current coach of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.-Playing career:Born in Certaldo, Province of Florence, Spalletti played for Serie C teams such as Entella, Spezia, Viareggio and Empoli....
.
On 12 September 2006, Pizarro scored his official goal for the team in a 4–0 Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2006-07
The 2006–07 UEFA Champions League was the 15th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded from the European Cup, and the 52nd season overall. The final was contested by Milan and Liverpool on 23 May 2007...
victory over Shaktar Donetsk at 89th minute. Five days later, he scored his second consecutive goal for the Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
against AC Siena in a 3–1 victory. He helped to Roma to win the Coppa Italia 2006-07
Coppa Italia 2006-07
The 2006/2007 Coppa Italia final was played, like the two previous editions, between Internazionale and Roma. The first match was played in Rome on May 9th 2007, and the second leg in Milan on May 17th 2007...
title, being one of top–scorers of the team with three goals. On 20 June 2007, Roma announced that paid €5.750.000 million to Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
over the next three seasons for the remaining of Pizarro in AS Roma, who had played an important role in the club's last season.
In Roma's next season, Pizarro was a undisputed titular with Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Roma. He is the current Roma's vice-captain and nicknamed as Capitan Futuro due to his high probabality as heir-apparent to Francesco Totti's captain armband.With Roma he has won the Coppa Italia...
on Spalletti's squad. He scored his season goal against SSC Napoli in a 4–4 draw for Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
. After of the qualifying of Roma to the Round of 16 in UEFA Champions League 2007-08, Pizarro scored an important goal against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
at 24th minute, in a 2–1 Roma's victory. Shortly after, Roma were eliminated against Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the quarterfinals. Pizarro proclaimed once champion of Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
, now in the 2007-08
Coppa Italia 2007-08
The 2007–08 Coppa Italia was the 60th edition of the tournament. Fixtures were announced at 16:00 CET, July 25, 2007. The tournament began on August 14, 2007, and ended on May 24, 2008 with a single-match final to be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. For the fourth consecutive season, Roma...
season, newly beating to Inter Milan.
On 1 February 2009, Pizarro scored two goals in the same match against Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio are an Italian association football club, the main club of the city of Reggio Calabria. Founded in 1914, they currently play in the Italian Serie B, and play their home matches at the 27,763 seater Stadio Oreste Granillo...
for the Serie A 2008-09
Serie A 2008-09
The 2008–09 Serie A was the seventy-seventh season since its establishment. It began on 30 August 2008 and ended on 31 May 2009, with the announcement of the list of fixtures made on 25 July 2008...
. In the end of Roma 2008-09 season, the contract of the player was expired, but he signed a new three-year contract with Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
in October 2009. In the 2009-10 season, Pizarro finished with 2 goals, 8 assists in 31 games. He helped to Roma to finish second behind Inter, with the club in contention for the title through the final matchday of the season. In the next season, Pizarro had a strong discussion with the new coach of Roma, Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri, is an Italian football manager, currently in charge as head coach of Internazionale.He has also managed many other well-known clubs in Europe, including Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Parma, Juventus and Roma.-Early life:Ranieri attended St...
, and the coach put to the player in the transfer window, and clubs as Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
and Zenit St. Petersburg attempted to sign to Pizarro. Shorlty after, Roma dismissed the departure of Pizarro of Roma. It was reported that Pizarro was "injured" in the official explanation of Pizarro's absent, however after Ranieri was dismissed, Pizarro returned to the starting line-up.
International career
Pizarro began his international career in 1999. After being one of the best players of the South American Youth ChampionshipSouth American Youth Championship
The South American Youth Championship, also known as U-20 South American Championship and Juventud de América is a South American football tournament organized by the CONMEBOL , for South American national teams of men under age 20.-History:The first South American Youth Championship was hosted by...
that year, Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
manager Nelson Acosta
Nelson Acosta
Nelson Bonifacio Acosta López, nicknamed Pelado Acosta and "El Ratón" , is a former Uruguayan football player. He became a nationalized Chilean in 1984 and is currently a football coach.He managed the national team of Chile from 1996 to 2001, leading them to the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
gave him an opportunity in the senior team.
He played in the 1999 Copa America and also the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, where he won the bronze medal. He also participated in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup qualifiers, with Chile failing to qualify on both occasions.
After failing to qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany, Pizarro announced his retirement from international football, listing several reasons for his decision. He disliked ex-coach Juvenal Olmos
Juvenal Olmos
Juvenal Olmos is an Chilean football manager who coached the Chile national football team between 2003 and 2005...
and ex-association president Reinaldo Sánchez. Also, he believed the players on the national team played solely to gain popularity. He also said he wished to spend more time with his family.
In early 2009, Pizarro said that he missed playing international football.
National Team
-
- Olympic Games2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
: in SydneyFootball at the 2000 Summer OlympicsThe football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...
(2000)
- Olympic Games
Internazionale
Serie ASerie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
: 2005–06
Supercoppa Italiana
Supercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
: 2005
2005 Supercoppa Italiana
The 2005 Supercoppa Italiana was a match contested by 2004-05 Serie A champions Juventus and 2004-05 Coppa Italia winners Internazionale. The match took place on 20 August 2005, and resulted in a 1-0 win for Internazionale after extra time.-Match details:...
Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
: 2005–06
AS Roma
Supercoppa ItalianaSupercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
: 2007
2007 Supercoppa Italiana
The 2007 Supercoppa Italiana was a match contested by Serie A 2006-07 winners Internazionale and Coppa Italia 2006-07 winners Roma.The match took place on 19 August 2007 in San Siro, Milan and resulted in a 1-0 victory for Roma...
Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
(2): 2006–07, 2007–08