 Rizzoli won seven consecutive AIC Serie A Referee of the Year Awards from 2011 to 2017.On 18 February 2017, Soccer 360 included Rizzoli on its list of the top 5 referees in the 21st century.Rizzoli refereed his first UEFA Champions League qualifying match in August 2007 and took charge of his first Champions League group stage match, a 2–0 Sporting CP victory over Basel, on 1 October 2008.