Pizzi retires, ex-Benfica man signs off: It was a beautiful journey | OneFootball

The match between Benfica and Estoril, besides marking the end of the 2025/26 Liga Portugal Betclic season, also marked Pizzi’s farewell to the pitch. A week after announcing his retirement, the 36-year-old midfielder was honored at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, where he shared a heartfelt message.

“I want to thank everyone who is here with me for my farewell. I especially want to thank my entire family, everyone who was always with me every day through this journey, my friends, and all the people who stood by me inside and outside the stadiums,” began the former Benfica star.

“It was a very beautiful journey, and I am very proud of the career I built. There are few words, but I was lucky to experience so many good things alongside my loved ones. Thank you all so much. It was an enormous pleasure,” concluded Pizzi, in a brief speech the footballer gave on the pitch at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota after the match.

It should be remembered that the number 21 started in Ian Cathro’s team, playing until the 58th minute, when he was replaced by Rafik Guitane. As Pizzi was leaving the field, the stadium rose in a standing ovation for the player, and those on the pitch made sure to form a guard of honour for the former Benfica man.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.