Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, commonly known as Alexandre Pato or just Pato, is a Brazilian
professional footballer who plays for São Paulo FC, on loan from Corinthians, and the
Brazilian national team as a forward.
His nickname, Pato [ˈpatu], is a play on his place of birth, Pato Branco, with the
literal translation of "pato" from Portuguese to English being "duck".
Club career Internacional
In June 2006, at only 16 years of age, Pato was signed by Sport Club Internacional to
compete in the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20.
Despite the fact that he was competing against players up to four years older than he was,
Pato became top scorer of the competition as Internacional Sub-20 defeated Grêmio 4–0
in the championship's final match.
Ready to join the Inter 13th team in November that same year, his debut finally happened
at the Estádio Palestra Itália against São Paulo team Palmeiras for the Campeonato Brasileiro.
Alexandre Pato met and surpassed any and all expectations of what was expected of him as
he scored his first professional goal within the first minute of the game.
The rest of his participation was spent dribbling and confusing defenders as he made two assists
to help Internacional rout Palmeiras 4–1.
He was substituted off in the 77th minute.
Pato was included in the Internacional squad that won the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.
During this event, Pato broke Pelé's long standing record as he became the youngest
ever player to score in a FIFA-organised competition at the age of 17 years and 102 days old against
African club champions Al-Ahly.
Pelé was 17 years and 239 days old when he scored against Wales during the 1958 FIFA
World Cup.
Keeping up with his promising figure, Pato debuted at the Campeonato Gaúcho on 24 February
against Veranópolis and scored a goal in the 2–1 victory.
He also debuted in Copa Libertadores on 28 February against Emelec of Ecuador and scored
once during the 3–0 thumping.
But the biggest highlight of Pato's time with Internacional was during the Recopa Sudamericana,
as he helped Internacional win their first ever title of that competition.
Against Pachuca of Mexico, he scored one goal in the 2–1 defeat in Mexico.
But on the return game on 7 June and with more than 51,000 Colorados present, Pato had
a great performance as he scored once and led the 4–0 to win Internacional's third
international title.
Milan 2007–2010: Breakthrough seasons
Incumbent European champions Milan of the Italian Serie A officially confirmed the signing
of Pato on 2 August 2007.
Due to FIFA football regulations regarding non-EU minors, Pato was unable to play-official
matches for Milan until 3 January 2008, when the Italian transfer window and registration
reopened.
Milan, however, were allowed to include the player in friendlies and training beginning
3 September 2007, one day after his 18th birthday.
Pato made his non-competitive debut in a 2–2 draw against Dynamo Kyiv on 7 September 2007
and scored a header.
On 4 January 2008, Pato's transfer to Milan became official.
Pato scored his first Milan goal on his Serie A debut against Napoli in a 5–2 home victory
on 13 January 2008.
He scored his first brace for Milan, in a 2–0 victory over Genoa at the San Siro on
27 January.
He finished the 2007–08 season with nine goals in 20 appearances.
In late 2008, Pato scored two goals in Milan's 5–1 win over Udinese just before the Christmas
break, and managed to shine again with a brace against Roma the following matchday at the
Stadio Olimpico on 11 January 2009, proving that he is a vital part of Milan's attack.
He continued his impressive form for Milan, hitting six goals in four games, including
a game winning strike against Fiorentina on 18 January.
On 15 February, he scored his 11th goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat against home
rivals Internazionale.
On 26 February, Pato scored his 12th goal of the season against Werder Bremen in the
UEFA Cup, a game Milan drew 2–2; but with this, were knocked out the competition on
the away goals rule.
Pato continued his good form with two goals against Siena on 15 March.
Pato finished the 2008–09 season as Milan's top goalscorer with 18 goals.
On 22 August 2009, in the first Serie A match of the 2009–10 season, Pato scored a goal
in each half during the 2–1 win against Siena.
Around two months later, on 21 October 2009, during matchday three of the Champions league
group stage, Pato scored two-second-half goals in a 3–2 win against Real Madrid at the
Bernabéu.
He has since played at the right wing in a 4–3–3 formation.
On 18 January 2010, Pato was awarded the 2009 Serie A Young Footballer of the Year award
at the Oscar del Calcio ceremony, becoming the first Brazilian to be awarded with the
title.
On his return to the team from injury, Pato scored a goal in each of Milan's next three
games against Udinese, Bari, and Fiorentina.
On 28 February, he scored a brace in the first half at the San Siro, helping Milan beat Atalanta
3–1 but coming off halfway through the second half due to a hamstring injury.
This injury forced him to miss two crucial trips to Roma and Manchester United.
In an unfortunate conclusion to Pato's season, he injured the same muscle again shortly after
returning and was forced to miss the rest of the season, playing only 20 games due to
constant injuries.
2010–2013: Injuries and decline In the first match of the season against Lecce,
he scored two goals in Milan's 4–0 win.
However, he found himself on the treatment table just after his first two matches of
the season, which ruled him out for the next three matches.
In his next full match after his injury, he scored twice against Chievo at the San Siro,
returning to his position as a striker in a 4–3–1–2 formation.
He then scored once again against Bari at the Stadio San Nicola.
After a string of great performances, Pato injured his hamstring for the third time in
less than a year.
This injury ruled him out for six weeks.
On 9 January, he scored his first two goals of 2011 to help Milan draw 4–4 against Udinese
after going down 3–1.
On 26 January, he scored two goals helping, Milan to win 2–1 against Sampdoria in Coppa
Italia.
On 6 February he scored a goal against Genoa helping Milan to draw 1–1.
Another remarkable goal of his came on 20 February when he scored the winning goal in
a 2–1 away victory over Chievo, when he dribbled in between two defenders and finished
off with a goal off the post.
He scored the third goal after assisting Kevin-Prince Boateng in a 3–0 victory over Napoli on
28 February.
With fellow striker Zlatan Ibrahimović suspended for the Derby della Madonnina with Internazionale,
Pato's two goals saw Milan secure their much needed three points.
He dedicated his brace to his supporters.
Assisted by Boateng, he scored the second goal in a 2–1 away win against Fiorentina
on 10 April.
On 13 September, in a Champions League group-stage match against FC Barcelona, Pato scored the
fifth-fastest goal in the competition's history, 24 seconds after kick-off.
Later that month, he suffered a thigh injury during a 1–1 draw with Udinese.
Pato made his return as a sub against Fiorentina and hit the post in the 79th minute in a 0–0
draw.
He then scored and won a penalty in a 4–0 win against Chievo and in midweek, scored
against Viktoria Plzeň and setup Robinho in a 2–2 draw.
He started against Bologna the next week in a 2–2 draw.
In January 2012, Pato was on the brink of moving to French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.
This move would have given Milan the opportunity to make a bid for Manchester City's Carlos
Tévez.
On 12 January, however, Pato refused the transfer, citing his commitment for the Rossoneri.
During the Coppa Italia round of 16 victory over Novara, Pato picked up a muscle strain
in his thigh, which tests revealed an injury of his biceps femoris of his left thigh, resulting
in him missing the remainder of the season.
Before the start of the new season, Pato switched to the squad number 9, as Filippo Inzaghi
had retired at the end of the 2011–2012 season.
In the third training session of the season he injured his thigh and was kept out for
the first six weeks of the new season.
On 21 October 2012, Pato made his return to Milan, in which he assisted El Shaarawy for
the second goal in a 3–2 away defeat to Lazio.
On 6 November 2012, in a Champions League group stage match, Pato scored his first goal
of the season with a header in a 1–1 draw against Malaga.
He scored for the last time for Milan in the Champions League against Anderlecht on 21
November 2012.
Corinthians On 3 January 2013, Pato signed for Corinthians
for a fee of €15 million in a four-year deal.
His debut for the club occurred against Oeste, with Pato scoring on his first touch on the
ball after a pass by Paulinho, maintaining his reputation of scoring in his debut matches.
On 27 February 2013 in the Copa Libertadores he scored against Colombian team Millonarios
with a volley from a cross.
On May 2013, Pato suffered his first criticism in new club, after he missed two goals against
Goiás, in a game valid by Brazilian League.
The forward was defended by his coach Tite.
According to the manager: "Essa pressão vem do valor.
Mas futebol não é só dinheiro.
Se fosse, não tínhamos ganhado a Libertadores ano passado.".
On 6 June after Corinthians lost to Cruzeiro 1–0, in a game valid for Brazilian League,
Pato was criticised again by Fiel.
The former milanista missed four goal chances, and once again was defended by Tite.
According to the coach: Ele melhorou em precisão.
Foi o que pedi depois do jogo contra a Ponte: ‘Acerta o gol’.
Acertando e tendo o goleiro adversário uma grande noite, o técnico vai reconhecer.
Sempre olho para o outro lado.
É preciso reconhecer que o Fábio teve uma noite muito feliz, o mérito dele.
Se tivesse errado, eu cobraria.
O mérito é do Fábio."("He's improved in precision.
I asked for this after the game against Ponte Preta: 'Target for goal'.
Considering he shot in the direction of the goal and the rival goalkeeper had a good game,
the coach is going to award recognition.
I always look at the other side.
It is necessary to recognise that Fábio had a very happy game, it was his merit.
If Pato had missed, I would ask him to improve.
By today was Fábio's merit.") On 7 July, after Emerson Sheik's and Danilo's
injuries and ten games without goals, Pato was in the 11-team of Alvinegro and scored
twice in the Corinthians victory against Bahia, in a game valid by Brazilian League.
On 24 October, Alexandre Pato missed a crucial penalty that saw his Corinthians team knocked
out of the Brazil Cup.
São Paulo On 5 February 2014, Alexandre Pato was involved
in a transfer between Corinthians and São Paulo FC in which he was traded to the latter
with Jádson moving to Corinthians.
While Jádson moved to Corinthians permanently, Pato transferred to Tricolor until December
2015, during which time half of his salary will continue to be paid by Timão.
If Pato receives a proposal in June or July, when the transfer window re-opens in Europe,
he can be negotiated to cover Corinthians investment of €15 million.
According to Pato's agent, Gilmar Veloz, he left Corinthians because Mano Menezes, the
new coach of club, contrary to Tite, his predecessor, did not want Pato at the club.
Menezes preferred a midfielder, therefore Jadson, who was sitting on the bench at São
Paulo, went the opposite way.
In Veloz's words: "He stayed with no place with new coach, who wanted Jadson and did
not want Pato.
He had other plans, another tactical system in his mind.
Pato was not important for Mano's scheme."
On 10 April 2014, in his second game for São Paulo, he scored his first goal for his new
club, against the same CSA who he did his début.
This time, in a victory by 3–0 and valid by second leg of second round of Brazilian
Cup, Pato scored the first goal of game, after a good assist coming from Maicon.
International career
After gaining prominence at club level, Pato was called up for the youth teams of Brazil.
He helped Brazil win the 2007 South American Youth Championship, which qualified the country
for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and was selected by Brazil coach Dunga for the 2008
Summer Olympics.
He scored his first goal for the senior Brazilian team on his debut against Sweden at the Emirates
Stadium in England on 26 March 2008, beating Pelé's record of scoring a goal within seconds
of his full international debut.
He took part at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa, where he played only in the
first round match against Egypt.
However, he was not called by Dunga to play in the 2010 World Cup.
He became a regular under new coach Mano Menezes, wearing the number 9 jersey.
He scored a goal in Brazil's 2–0 friendly win over the United States on 10 August 2010.
He scored the second goal in Brazil's 3–0 win against Iran on 7 October 2010.
Pato's success in the Brazil national team continued as he again scored in a friendly
match against Ukraine, where they won 2–0.
Pato has so far participated in the 2011 Copa América and has scored a notable brace in
the group stage against Ecuador.
Pato was selected for the Brazil Olympic Football team for London 2012 Olympics.
He scored a header against Belarus at Old Trafford to make it 1–1, Brazil went on
to win the match 3–1.
Pato scored twice as Brazil beat Sweden 3–0 in the final international match at the Rasunda
Stadium in Stockholm.
He entered in the 76th, scored on a header in the 85th and converted a penalty kick two
minutes later after a foul by Pontus Wernbloom.
Personal life Pato said in an interview with the Brazilian
television program Esporte Espetacular that at age 11, he broke his arm and while examining
the injuries, doctors found a tumor in the arm and feared the arm needed to be amputated.
Thankfully, the surgery to remove the tumor was successful and did not require an amputation.
In 2007, Pato was engaged to Brazilian actress Sthefany Brito.
They mutually split up in January 2009.
However, they got back together, and on 7 July 2009, they married in a ceremony at the
Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro.
However, the marriage lasted less than ten months, and the couple divorced on 21 April
2010, with Brito citing Pato's constant partying as the reason for their split.
In 2010, he had a brief romance with Miss Brazil 2010, Débora Lyra.
On 2 July 2013, after two and a half years of relationship, Pato broke up with his girlfriend,
Barbara Berlusconi.
Career statistics Club
As of match played 9 April 2014.
1Continental competitions include the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup, Copa Libertadores
and Recopa Sudamericana.2Other tournaments include the FIFA Club World Cup, Campeonato
Gaúcho, Campeonato Paulista and Supercoppa Italiana.
International As of 30 May 2012.
International goals Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally
first.
Honours Club
Internacional FIFA Club World Cup: 2006
Recopa Sudamericana: 2007 Milan
Serie A: 2010–11 Supercoppa Italiana:: 2011
Corinthians Campeonato Paulista: 2013
Recopa Sudamericana: 2013 National team
Brazil South American Youth Championship: 2007
Olympic Bronze Medal: 2008 FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009
Olympic Silver Medal: 2012 Individual
Brazilian U-20 Championships Top-Scorer – 2006 Brazilian U-20 Championships Most Valuable
Player – 2006 Sendai Cup Top-Scorer – 2006
Sendai Cup Most Valuable Player – 2006 Serie A Player of the Month – January 2009
Tuttosport Golden Boy of the Year – 2009 Serie A Young Footballer of the Year – 2009
Italian Football Oscars Best Young Player – 2009
References Publications
Celso de Campos Jr., "The Mighty Duck", FourFourTwo, Haymarket Publications, pg. 68–70, November
2007 edition.
Citations
External links Official website