He is usually deployed as a central midfielder, although he can also operate in a holding role in front of the back-line, in a more attacking position in the hole behind the strikers, or even as a deep-lying playmaker.

His Italian nickname is "Pek", diminutive of "pequeño", meaning "small" in Spanish, because of his short stature (1.68 metres).

He made his full debut in 1999, playing at that year's Copa América, and was part of the Chilean squad which won its first-ever tournament in 2015.

[4] At Inter, he failed to repeat his successful campaigns at Udinese, at times being overshadowed by Argentine star Juan Sebastián Verón.

On 19 August 2006, Roma acquired 50% of Pizarro's rights, agreeing to a €6.5 million transfer fee for a four-year co-ownership deal.

On 12 September 2006, Pizarro scored his first competitive goal for Roma in a 4–0 UEFA Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the 89th minute.

On 31 January 2012, Pizarro signed for Manchester City on loan from Roma for the remainder of the 2011–12 season, reuniting his former head manager at Inter, Roberto Mancini.

After being one of the best players of the South American Youth Championship that year, Chile manager Nelson Acosta gave him an opportunity in the senior team.

[18] After failing to qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Pizarro announced his retirement from international football, listing several reasons for his decision.

[citation needed] On 20 May 2013, Pizarro was called up to the national team for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, returning to the Chile squad after having meetings with head coach Jorge Sampaoli, thus ending his eight-year absence from international football.