A versatile defender per the source — can play defensive midfield or left-back but is best as the left-sided center-back. Rated as very reliable in possession, comfortable playing out from the back under pressure, clean in the tackle, and quick to cover ground on the flanks.
Debuted in the Argentine top flight for Newell's Old Boys on 7 May 1989 against Independiente, becoming a starter in the 1988/89 relegation playoff round and never losing his place from there. Won the 1990/91 championship and Clausura '92 under Marcelo Bielsa in one of the strongest Newell's sides in the club's history, then reached the 1992 Copa Libertadores final, lost on penalties to São Paulo. When Bielsa took over Atlas in Mexico, Berizzo was his first signing, captaining the club for three years — Atlas retired his squad number when River bought him for over a million dollars plus Pablo Lavallén in 1996. Debuted for Argentina on 9 October 1996 in a 5-2 World Cup qualifying win away to Venezuela, and went to the 1997 Copa América in Bolivia.
| Season | Club | Division | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995/96 | Atlas (MEX) | 1 | — | — |
| Apertura '96 | River Plate | 1 | 18 | 0 |
| Clausura '97 | River Plate | 1 | 17 | 1 |
One of the defensive foundations of River's Clausura '97 title, paired with Celso Ayala at the back — 17 matches, 1 goal. Titles per the source: 1990/91 championship and Clausura '92 (Newell's), Apertura '96 and Clausura '97 (River Plate).
PC Fútbol — Base de Datos Apertura 97, (C) 1997 Dinamic Multimedia. Uploaded by Jim Totime. Cross-reference against a modern source (Transfermarkt / RSSSF) recommended before this is used for anything client-facing — this stub has not been independently verified against a second source.