Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes, universally known as Pizzi, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36, citing chronic hip pain that has plagued him for years. The midfielder, who spent the current season with Estoril Praia, ends his playing career as one of Portugal’s most decorated and influential footballers of the last decade.
After stints with Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, and SC Braga, Pizzi reached legendary status at Benfica. During nearly 10 years with the Eagles, he was instrumental in securing four consecutive league titles, earning a reputation for his tactical intelligence and exceptional goal-scoring and assist numbers for a midfielder. His peak came in the 2019/20 season when he recorded an astonishing 30 goals and 19 assists.
“I’m retiring as a professional footballer. This wasn’t an easy decision—probably the hardest of my career. Unfortunately, I’ve been playing with intense hip pain for six years, and despite trying various treatments, this condition prevents me from being the Pizzi everyone knows. Still, I always gave my best for every club I played for… Today, I sit here with a heavy heart but an immense sense of gratitude,” he said in a video posted on social media.
On the international stage, Pizzi earned 17 caps and scored three goals for Portugal, part of the squad that won the 2019 Nations League. After spells abroad in Turkey, the UAE, and Cyprus, and a return to Minho, the “maestro” brings his career to a close at the Amoreira, leaving behind a legacy of class and titles.
His final match will be against Benfica. “My last game will be against Benfica. I count on your support one last time. This match holds a very special meaning for me. I’m saying goodbye to the pitch, but not to football—it will always be part of my life. Thank you and see you soon,” the midfielder concluded.
A trophy cabinet worthy of a museum: from the “tetra” to European glory
Pizzi’s collection of silverware is remarkable. Internationally, he won the Europa League (2011/12) with Atletico Madrid and the Nations League (2018/19) with Portugal, the latter lifted in Porto. Domestically, his dominance was overwhelming, with 11 titles in Portugal, including four league championships with Benfica as a key figure in the historic “tetra.” He also added one Portuguese Cup, three Super Cups, and three League Cups—the last one in 2023/24 during his return to SC Braga.
Individual recognition: the king of 2016/17
Beyond team success, Pizzi’s consistency earned numerous individual accolades. His golden year was 2016/17, when he was named Portuguese League Player of the Year after a stellar campaign that steered Benfica to the title. A specialist in spectacular form, he was named Player of the Month six times and Midfielder of the Month three times in the Portuguese league. His goal-scoring instinct also crossed borders, including a shared top scorer award in the 2020/21 Europa League, where his influence extended far beyond midfield organization.
Pizzi’s statistics on Flashscore