Rodolfo Pizzaro is ready to make the leap to Europe.

Over the past year or so there is a handful of young up and coming Mexican players that have contributed immensely to their respective Liga MX teams and with those contributions comes attention from international Football including you guessed it, transfer rumors. Rodolfo Pizzaro is no exception.

With the high prices in Liga MX market due to inflated pricing on Mexican talent that can be attributed to teams that only field Mexican players as Liga MX team Chivas do, the Mexican players that garner interest from other leagues are special talents. In this series of 5 posts we at Viva Liga MX will break down what each player has accomplished in their short time, the skills they excel in, and potential landing spots. Our first player is Rodolfo Pizzaro

Rodolfo Pizzaro.
One of the most developed Attacking Midfielders Liga MX has ever seen, sure he has a tendency to disappear, but that will be discussed in deeper format later in this post. Before he was afforded such an opportunity though he was brought to you by the same people that brought you Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (Napoli), Erick Gutierrez (PSV), and Hector Herrera (Athletico Madrid). Pachuca F.C has been revered for their youth system for developing players with first class coaching as well as facilities.

Accomplishments

Pizzaro under previous Chivas Coach Matias Almeyda really came into his own after Pachuca sold him for $15 Million in the Fall of 2017 immediately making a splash in what was the best team of the decade for Chivas. Rodolfo Pizzaro scored against Tigres in the first leg of the final in the 2017 Clausura to give Chivas a lead that they would end up winning by the time the second leg was played as Chivas won on aggregate 4-3. After winning the 2017 Clausura, he moved onto the CCL final in 2018 as he once again scored in the first leg as Chivas went on to beat Toronto F.C on aggregate 2-1. In that same Concacaf Champions League he was awarded the honor of being named the best young player. Hiss importance was further reinforced by the fact he also made the Starting IX of the Tournament.

Now one may say okay that was a couple years ago right? Liga MX is a “What have you done for me lately?” type of league, well do I have news for you. Pizzaro after a couple year stint and media drama was announced to be leaving Chivas for the city of Rayados, er i mean Monterrey. He was bought for the price of $16 Million (who said Chivas can’t do good business?). Well Pizzaro went on and won the Concacaf Champions League again, this time it would be not an MLS team but rather the team he helped beat when he played with Chivas for the Clausura 2017 title in fellow Monterrey team Tigres. It wasn’t just a free ride either, as he was placed on the best starting XI for the second year in a row of the Concacaf Champions League, and became the first person to win the competition back to back with different teams. Oh by the way Los Rayados just won the Apertura 19 title as they went on to defeat America 4-3 in penalties, making him champion of the league again, but with another team in the span of 2 years. What is honestly left for him to accomplish in Liga Mx still?

Skills

Pizzaro by no means is a perfect player. He has the tendency to get lost whenever his head isn’t completely focused on the game, be sloppy, and be a liability against a good counter attacking team. This was showcased against America as most recent as a week ago when in the second leg of the 2019 Apertura he just disappeared, taking too many challengers on at once and losing the ball, and none of his passes being on target. It was almost costly and they are lucky America didn’t put a 3rd goal away in the first half of the second leg of the final.  Now that could be due to the fact he was near America midfielder Guido Rodriguez who is an amazing CDM, most notably being named Concacaf player of the year in 2019. Except this happens even when he doesn’t just play against America. it has happened, and maybe part of the reason nobody in Europe has taken the chance on him yet.

When he shines though he dazzles. His dibbling is top 5 in the league, his vision for passes is one of his most underrated traits, and his work ethic going forward is phenomenal. He creates space and sets up his team, often floating to the flanks providing good services into the box. If he’s not finding space he’s making runs into the box and playing 1 2’s with Monterrey forward Rogelio Funes Mori just as has done for Chivas with forward Alan Pulido when he played for them. The type of game he plays is just beautiful. From being able to take decent shots from outside the box, to being able to play with his back to goal, and he is quick. This past year in 2019 having 7 goals and 3 Assists across all competitions.

Landing Spots 

Pizzaro is currently valued at under 10 Million. In the summer of 2019 rumors suggested he was headed to AC Milan his play style does fit those of an Italian league. Most recently though a shocking rumor has emerged that would send him to Chicago, Illinois. All respect to the Chicago Metropolitan area when i say this but it’s nothing more than a pipe dream for the MLS club. The ideal landing spot for Rodolfo Pizzaro would be a mid table La Liga team as Villareal or a mid table BPL team such as Everton where the pressure wouldn’t be there and he would be afforded the opportunity to develop.

What do you think? Is Pizzaro worthy of a European team?