MLS could serve as a stepping stone towards a European career for Inter Miami attacking midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro, according to head coach Diego Alonso.
Speaking with ESPN's Fernando Palomo, Alonso said Pizarro’s aspirations for playing overseas are boosted by joining the expansion club. Before being acquired from Monterrey last February, Pizarro spent the first eight years of his professional career playing for various Liga MX clubs.
"What MLS can give him that Liga MX didn't, or didn't as much, is that shop window to [clubs] abroad," Alonso said of Pizarro. "MLS is watched a lot more abroad [than Liga MX]."
Pizarro scored Inter Miami’s first-ever MLS goal during a 2-1 loss at D.C. United on March 7, just before the 2020 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 26-year-old is currently one of two Designated Players at the club, with Argentine forward Matias Pellegrini the other.
Prior to MLS, Pizarro twice won the Concacaf Champions League and remained an established Mexico national team player. Now, success could one day prompt a lucrative deal for all parties involved.
"[MLS gives Pizarro] the possibility of gaining experience, competing in another league with other types of difficulties so he can show how capable he is," Alonso said.
