He dates Sthefany Brito, a 20-year-old actress from Brazil.

FORZA PATO!!

Great!

THANKS A LOT Porty. keep us updated with his photos.

He's already learnt the hard facts of life. The guy's gotta carry the luggage always. *sigh*

I notice his bling-bling is gone.

Shooting Season Begins For Pato The Duck

He's already been called the new Kaka and ‘the most likely next winner of the Ballon d'Or‘. Gil Gillespie asks if Milan’s footballing superstar-in-waiting Pato can possibly live up to expectation.


Here Comes The New Messiah

Barring bureaucratic irregularities, new Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato will make his debut for AC Milan against Napoli on January 13th. Its hard to remember another footballer who has had as much hype surrounding his debut as this particular 18-year-old.

Before he has even kicked a ball in anger for his new club, everyone, from the quite reasonable Clarence Seedorf to the quite ridiculous Silvio Berlusconi, have been shouting about Pato from the rooftops.

Even his currently content-free web site, alexandrepato.com, is poised and raring to go, ready to report on every act of greatness.

Perhaps the Gazzetta dello Sport captured the growing sense of excitement best when they described the 18-year-old Brazilian as 'having the pace and sense of goal of a young Ronaldo, the education and good character of Kaka, the flat-out speed of Thierry Henry, the personality of Romario and the on-pitch elegance of Marco Van Baste'’ (MY GOD!!! ).

To be honest, its amazing that the kid hasn’t been crushed by the weight of expectation.

There Once Was An Ugly Duckling...

So who is this curly-haired kid with the daft nickname? And can he really live up to all the hype?

Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, to give him his full name, was born on September 2nd 1989 in the town he takes his name from, Pato Branco (meaning White Duck). His prodigious talent in the indoor futsal leagues alerted several big clubs but his parents decided he should sign for Internacional and in 2001 he moved south along with several dozen other hopefuls wanting to make a name for themselves with the club.

It was around this time, however, that a routine x-ray revealed he had a tumour on his arm that needed to be removed immediately to prevent it becoming cancerous. The 11-year-old's parents couldn't afford the operation but a doctor they knew kindly offered to do it for free and Pato was able to move on and begin his footballing career.

On his first team debut for Internacional two years ago he scored one goal and set-up the other three in a scintillating display as his side hammered Palmeiras 4-1.

Unsurprisingly, behind the scenes, the clubs' officials began shielding their young star from the limelight until his buy-out penalty clause could be raised from $4 million to $20 million. Later that year he became the youngest player ever to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Then, in 2007, he helped Brazil win the South American Youth Championship. And, following a transfer battle involving Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea, and some very persuasive words from fellow countryman Leonardo, Pato finally signed for AC Milan for 22 million Euros. He has been unable to play competitive matches for the Rossoneri until now because of regulations preventing the registration of non-EU minors in Italy.

So, Just How Good Is He?

So that's Pato's past done and dusted, but what of his future? Can he really become the player that so many are expecting so much from? The noises coming out of Milanello suggest he can. And a quick glance at his career highlights so far on YouTube confirms that we are talking about a very special talent here.

Flicks, spins, chips, shimmy's, feints, dummies, back-heels, the kids got the lot. There is even one clip that shows him juggling the ball on his right shoulder as he runs at full speed towards the goal-line and another where he turns Carles Puyol inside out and back again, no mean feat for any striker, let alone one who's just celebrated his 18th birthday.

But there's more to Pato than a bag full of tricks; he's quick, lightning quick, and he’s strong too, more of a second striker than a 'fantasista', more of an out-and-out goalscorer than Brazilian's with this much technical ability tend to be. And he has the same sort of effortless grace that propels Kaka past defenders as if they are mere spectators of his art.

A Note Of Caution

But lets not do Silvio Berlusconi did when he claimed that “if Pato continues to do what he does in training he will get 30 goals by June”. () That would make him superhuman. He’s not.

He’s an eighteen year old in his debut season in Europe who’s about to be thrown into a league where the sharpest defenders in the world specialise in cutting any shirts of naivety into ribbons. Sure, Ancelotti had a straight face when he said that “Pato is better than Ronaldinho” ().

But Milan’s coach is old enough and wise enough to know that this wont happen overnight. “He needs to be given the necessary time to grow and mature”, added Milan's boss, in one of the less reported moments following the media scrum that greeted his new strikers' arrival. After all the build-up and all the hype, don’t be surprised if Pato starts the game against Napoli on the bench. (I honestly expect so!)



I just hated all this hype and expectation coming from everywhere... our management's approach not just didn't help any, made it worse. just like the writer says, "it's amazing that the kid hasn’t been crushed by the weight of expectation"...

Good Pics Porty ,,,

I must say the media itself is hyping him. All the Milan staff said was that kid was very very good in training. And Silvio saying he can score 30 goals untill the end of season , guys , its silvio he's known to make cheesy comments like that.

I've seen the guy training on Milanchannel , and if people ask me , i just cant say anything except he's probably the most talented one on the field. What he does with the ball is phenomenal , his speed is amazing and he plays with all the right motivation.

So yeah , i would say the same. Besides Silvio & Carlo joking about 30 goals

Besides , Pato joined the big boys now. Presure is a part of it and Milan payed a lot for him. And he hasnt even proved himself on the field. But it doesnt matter , the kid's got talent and Im sure he'll live up to our expectations.

Forza Pato !

I just read that article on goal.com ... and u beat me to a similar reply that i was gonna make .. hence, great post

7 days.

You're wrong my friend. All from acmilan.com:


"If Pato continues to play like we see him in the training games between the lads, it ends up that between January and June he will score 30 goals" - Carlo to Silvio
[It was Carlo's cheesy statement not Silvio's!]


"This year we have purchased the strongest striker in the world" - Carlo on Pato


"We made a very conscious decision to be able to count on the strongest young player in the world..." - Galliani on Pato


"It's a purchase worth 10 out of 10" - Carlo on Pato


"The biggest youth talent of that infinite football country that is Brazil" - acmilan.com addressing Pato


And funny thing is there's more hype from our management. I just quoted the highlights!

Seriously , what do you expect them to say ? "Yeah we spend big money on a little kid , he's ok , nothing worth bragging about" ...

Even if they hype him , what's the difference ? Some kids might be more dissapointed when he doesnt live up the expectations ?? You think Pato is reading Milanfan now and thinking to himself " oh noooo , the whole world is looking at meeee , I cant do it "

Dude , He's not a 4 year old who goes to school for the first day. He's a professional and if the staff wants to "promote" the kid , then its their business. Pato's business is on the field , hype or not.

I dont care what the Milan management is saying or not , they know what they're talking about . They're professionals for god's sake !!

I have so much faith in him , after what I see on milanchannel when he's on the field You'll see on sunday

you said in your last post that all the hype came from the media not our management and I said it's not true. now you suddenly change position and say they have a right to promote their signing [a little exaggeratedly!]... well they surely have a right to do so. but after all that the new Zidan hype around Gourcuff and what he's become now, a bench warmer, I don't quite trust their promotions anymore...

Anyhow, no matter how much faith you have in Pato, believe me, I've seen him play as much as you have and there's no greater admirer of him than me but it's got nothing to do with my dissatisfaction with our management's hype.

Milan can hype , they are there when Pato does his magic. Plus , its on the official site for us Milanfans to read. When goal.com or channel4 does it , its for the whole world to read. I doubt Juve fans or Merda Fans are reading official acmilan news on the official site

Plus , the new zidane hype came from france if im not mistaken , not Milan. And In Milan we trust okay !!!

The journalists are reading the official site and transforming the interesting stuff into stories on all these sites.

Oh sure , like the new topic about kaka saying : "English clubs are easy".

And in the article you cant find a single quote him saying that

the french see ribery or nasri as the new zidanes. nasri already has 7 caps and 2 goals for france and he's younger than gourcuff. oh and silvio and galliani both called gourcuff the new zidane.

Well if its against Milan you just pop up dont you .

This doesnt change the fact that the "new Zidane" hype wasnt invented in Italy.

Of course they fabricate things often but that's another story. In most of these stories about Pato in different sites, there were quotes from Milan stuff.

You don't have to defend the board every time. They obviously hyped him too much. Whether he can't live up to it, is remains to be seen.

Its not about defending , its about us knowing nothing and act like we know it all and better.

What there is to know? Since when putting more pressure on a 18 years old kid is a good thing?

What pressure ?? He's not made of glass you know. He is at Milan doing the one thing he's great at , Football. That's his job , putting pressure on him or not aint gonna make him worse.

At his age ,it does effects. There is a difference when you are hyping a young kid or a relatively experienced player. It's his first year away from Brazil, he has never played at this level (Serie A/CL) and already being compared with some of the greatest players. Now he needs to prove to everybody that he's up to it and he'll be watched closely. And yes, when you don't have experience (and especially when you are so young), not every player has the mentality to cope with it.

are you reading what you're writing??

probably not

Hey, guys!

I've had an idea (scary, I know).

How about instead of arguing about our interpretations of management's comments about Pato, we look forward to watching him play next week against Napoli?

Given Pippo's kidney stones (ow!) and what will probably be continuous questions about Ronaldo's match fitness, the kid may well start. Personally, I hope the Naples defenders don't beat him up too badly....

Well actually, pressure works less on you when you are a teenager. In any case, this shielding thing only works so far. Sooner or later, he's going to realise he's playing for a top club and the pressure will come. In any case, the pressure won't be worse than it is, this year.

Football Italia

I bet he'll be a reserve for that game.

it's not like he's 15years old...he played matches on highest level, i think he's able to fight with strong italian defensive league...

You're right that was scary

This place wouldn't be the same if people didn't disagree. Just makes it more interesting

^^^

You just don't like taking advice from a girl. All your friends in school would make fun of you...

Hey that's not true! I am a firm believer in equal rights

PATO'S DAY

1/8/2008

MILANELLO - The young Brazilian started to train this morning at 11am in the gym of the Rossoneri's sports centre. The morning session will see him do athletic and aerobic work. Today's day is a double session for Alexandre Pato. The attacker will in fact return to train at 3.30pm, always at Milanello, with the Primavera team: for him today just training with the ball in the afternoon.

Today the KING said that he will score 1 or 2 GOALS ,

i love you Pato

Now he's putting pressure on himself ! and to think it was the management doing it

I don't believe he's said this until I read it on acmilan.com or see the video in which he says so. remember this news comes from the website responsible for the worst made rumors in recent years!

Corriere Today : ( Google translator , sorry )


PATO - Meanwhile, in Milan, who promises that goal immediately. Alexandre Pato a hurry: to finally play with Milan and dreams to do so already protagonist Sunday against Naples. Dreams confessed to the microphones Milan Channel, in his first interview from the Milan player officially. "Yes - says - is the first interview that I am from Milan player and I am very happy. Sunday evening at San Siro comes Naples, for his debut in series A. "It will be my first game, I am training to 100% for a job well done. The Milan is the number one team at the world, I am here to play and do my best. Perhaps with a goal ... "I hope so, I pray God to succeed. Friday will be all my family in Italy to see my game: mom, dad, my brother, my girlfriend. I hope to make a good match, and seeing the 'happy torcidà of Milan. Meanwhile yesterday make us happy thought the Internacional of Porto Alegre, his former team, which defeated Inter in Dubai. "I saw the match, I am very happy because my former team beat Inter 2-1. Next time maybe wins Milan and I make a goal.

Yes he said , on Milan Channel

@ armisse

There's so much difference between "Perhaps a goal" and "I'll score two goals"! those fvcking media just twist the words!

@zdrossoneri

Yes , there is but how ?
even with ''perhaps'' in his words if he didnt trust in his ability to do such a thing he definitley could spoke about another matters ( when we all know that he is in a very serious stage of his career ), BUT he directly went to the main target .

something BIG is gonna happen with him.

he'll really score 15-20 goals till the end of the season, or he'll be a "Ricardo Olivera" (no no, the 2nd choice won't happen)

If he can score 10 goals by end of season, I will be VERY VERY impressed.

i expect him to have the same sorta impact ronaldo had with us last year, which would be great.

Milan's mighty duck ready to fly

He may have done little else but train since joining AC Milan in the summer, but already expectations surrounding Brazilian wonder boy Pato are sky high. "If Pato continues to do what he does in training, he will get 30 goals by June," proclaimed Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, citing coach Carlo Ancelotti and heightening anticipation ahead of the 18-year-old's competitive debut at home to SSC Napoli on Sunday.

Pressure
No pressure then. For Milan, Pato's introduction cannot come soon enough. The 2007 UEFA Champions League winners are cast away in the bottom half of Serie A. With just four wins all season, they are closer to the relegation zone than to European qualification. A return of 21 goals from 14 games speaks volumes, and it says everything that Milan fans are having to pin their hopes on an untried teenager to revive a moribund domestic season.

Clamour
The clamour for Pato is even greater than when Kaká joined the club in 2003 and unprecedented for a player without star stature. The major reason for that is how long Rossoneri supporters have been waiting to see their talented tyro in action. Pato, whose name translates as duck, signed for the European champions from SC Internacional in August for around €15m, after catching the eye with his brilliant performances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup where he scored three times in four matches. He was ineligible to play for Milan during the first part of the campaign, however, because of rules preventing Italian teams from registering non-EU players before they turn 18. Pato celebrated his 18th birthday on 2 September by which time the transfer market, and date for registering new players, was closed. After four months on the sidelines, finally the waiting game is over.

Confidence
Appetites were subsequently whetted when Pato powered in a header in a friendly against FC Dynamo Kyiv in September. Ancelotti has since compared him to former Napoli striker Careca, and as expected of any hyped-up youngster out of Brazil, Pato is blessed with prodigious skill and an array of tricks. Add to that, pace capable of unsettling any defence and power in the air too and Milan look to have another match-winner on their hands. Most impressive of all, perhaps, is his confidence and he will need every bit of it to deal with the pressure that awaits. Should that remain intact after a tough welcome to the European game by Serie A defences, the Rossoneri will have substance to back up the hype.

'Shocked'
"I watched a few tapes of him and was impressed, almost shocked by his talent," Berlusconi said. "I had the same feeling when I watched a tape of Marco van Basten before we signed him. I dream of a Milan side with Kaká, Pato and Ronaldo in attack." Many believe Pato could follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Kaká, including the Ballon d'Or winner himself. "He is very impressive, has great quality and will become a crucial player for this team," Kaká said. "I'm very glad to stay close to him and help him adapt to Italian football." If Pato fulfils just half of Milan's expectations, their hopes of becoming the first team to defend the UEFA Champions League title could yet come to fruition.

In the latest in a series of uefa.com readers' Q & As, Pato will be on the spot to answer your questions so click here to send yours now. Please give your name, age and location.

(link to article. The 'click here' above opens up an email just in case anyone wants to send a question.)

We only have 4 wins??? I thought it was more than that...


Indeed, just half would be more than enough!

I thought it was three goals in five games...
____________________________________

According to acmilan.com, he has scored 20 goals in just eight months' time, for Internacional and Brazil. that's very impressive for a then 17yo imo.

I'm going to send mine probably asking how does he feel about all the hype and pressure coming from everywhere!

_____________

Our six strikers!