Fútbol Focus: Leandro González Pirez

By Inter Miami CF

July 30^th, 2020

Inter Miami defender Leandro González Pirez started his professional career as a footballer back in his country of birth, Argentina. He donned the jerseys of a host of historic Argentine first division teams before becoming one of the most dominant defenders in MLS and briefly plying his trade in Mexico. Now, in his return to the league, the stalwart center back aims to add further success to his winning track record.

So far in his career, the 28-year-old has won the 2011-2012 Primera B Nacional title with Club Atlético River Plate, and the 2018 MLS Cup, 2019 U.S. Open Cup and 2019 Campeones Cup with Atlanta United. Individually, he was named to the 2019 MLS All-Star team and was nominated twice (2017 and 2018) for the MLS Defender of the Year Award.

The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native came through the youth ranks at Argentine and South American giant Club Atlético River Plate prior to making his professional debut for the senior side in March 2011.

During his developmental years in River’s youth teams, González Pirez’s performances caught the eye of the Argentina national team set up as well, going on to represent the country’s U-17, U-20 and U-22 sides. In 2009, he was part of Argentina’s U-17 side that participated in the 2009 South American U-17 Championships and the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup; in 2011 he competed with Argentina’s U-20 team at the 2011 South American U-20 Youth Championship and the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and was a member of the U-22 national team that went to the 2011 Pan American Games.

In his first seasons as a professional, between his debut in 2011 and the first half of 2013, González Pirez made 35 appearances for River Plate, 29 coming in the first division and six in the second division, scoring one goal. During that time he helped River clinch the 2011-2012 Primera Nacional B title to get promoted back to the Argentine first division after the team was relegated in June 2011.

The following campaign, González Pirez remained as a River Plate player, but he was sent out on loan to Belgian Pro League side KAA Gent in July 2013. Upon his return, he was loaned out once more in February 2014, this time to fellow Argentine first division team Arsenal Fútbol Club, where he made 18 appearances across all competitions, including five in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, widely considered the most prestigious competition at the club level in South America.

In January 2015, González Pirez left River Plate to join Argentine first division side Club Atlético Tigre on a permanent transfer. He spent one year with the team, playing 32 matches, scoring two goals and getting valuable experience by playing in another major international competition in CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana. He then moved to Club Estudiantes de La Plata, which also competes in Argentina’s top flight, in January 2016, where he played 10 games.

A year later in January 2017, González Pirez signed for Atlanta United ahead of the team’s expansion season, where he enjoyed considerable success under then Atlanta VP of Soccer Operations Paul McDonough, current COO and Sporting Director of Inter Miami. In three seasons in Atlanta, González Pirez established himself as one of the best defenders in the league, helping the team win the 2018 MLS Cup, 2019 U.S. Open Cup and 2019 Campeones Cup; he was also selected as a 2019 MLS All-Star and was nominated for the MLS Defender of the Year award twice. In total, he played 115 matches for the Atlanta-based side, tallying four goals and six assists, before heading south to join Liga MX team Club Tijuana in January 2020.

González Pirez made 14 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals before returning to MLS to become an Inter Miami player on July 1, 2020. After not being available for selection during the Club’s MLS is Back Tournament participation, the newest addition to Inter Miami’s inaugural roster is itching to make his debut representing the team.

Now, González Pirez has only one objective in mind: to make history with Inter Miami.

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