MONTREAL – Defender Nevio Pizzolitto announced his retirement from professional soccer, Wednesday, following a 16-year career with the Montreal Impact in North America’s second division.
Captain of the team over the last two seasons, Pizzolitto concluded his career having played 291 regular season games, 248 as a starter, recording 11 goals and six assists over 23,030 minutes played. He was named Defensive Player of the Year for the Impact in 2005, 2008 and 2009, as well as a first team all-star in 2008 and a second team all-star in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
WATCH: Nevio Pizzolitto Press Conference
He ranks second all-time in appearances, games started and minutes played for the Impact behind only Mauro Biello. He played five seasons with over 2,000 minutes on the pitch and 10 seasons with over 20 matches on the year.
“I would like to thank the Impact for all the great moments I’ve experienced over the course of my career in Montreal. I am proud to have contributed to the club’s success,” said Nevio Pizzolitto. “A big thank you goes out to President Joey Saputo for giving me the opportunity to play as a professional in my home town. I need to thank my family and friends as well who have supported me over my career.”
“Throughout his entire career, Nevio was an example of perseverance, professionalism and dedication,” said Impact president Joey Saputo. “He was always very loyal to the club. For almost 20 years, he contributed greatly to the development of our sport and he was a true role model for young Quebec players. He will always have a place with the club.”
“I would like to congratulate Nevio for a wonderful career with the Impact. He is one of the few players that have won every title with the club over its existence,” said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis. “From the beginning, he was devoted to helping the team succeed not only on the pitch, but also as an ambassador, helping the club become what it is today.”
Over his career, he won three playoff championships (1995, 2004 and 2009), five regular season titles (1995, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006) and one Canadian Nutrilite Championship in 2008. He also took part in 10 CONCACAF Champions League games, including the two quarter final matches against Mexican side Santos Laguna.
At the international level, Pizzolitto played in eight games for the Canadian National Team, most notably in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2003 and one qualifier for the World Cup in 2004. He also represented Quebec at multiple levels during his youth.
Native of St. Leonard, Pizzolitto joined the Montreal Impact in 1994, after playing his youth soccer with Sporting-Patriotes of the Quebec Elite Soccer League. Over that span, he was selected to the LSEQ all-star team on numerous occasions. He helped Sporting-Patriotes reach the national club championship in the U15 category in 1990, and later went on to win the national title at the U19 level in 1994.
Nevio Pizzolitto has decided to focus his energy full-time on the family business, which specializes in the fabrication of railings. He has also accepted a part-time role as technical director with the Monteuil soccer club, in the Laval region.
