Official - Alexandre Pato to Milan

Got this article from the [url]www.theworldgame.com.au..... good read....

'Duck' making a big splash - PA Sport



With Internacional recently crowned, in FIFA's eyes at least, as the best club in the world, it seems unusual to talk of wonderkid Alexandre Pato moving on to bigger and better things.

But while the Brazilian outfit's victory over UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona in the Club World Cup final may long stand as one of the finest-ever achievements by a Campeonato Brasileiro side, for Pato it may just be the start.

The 17-year-old is the latest in a long and illustrious line of Brazilian prodigies who have found themselves hailed as the next big thing and with some illustrious predecessors - Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano - still looming large on the world stage, the focus on Pato will only increase.

Despite only making his debut last month against Palmeiras, Pato - nicknamed 'Alex the Duck' - made a big enough impact in Japan to crank the expectation level up even further.

He scored once and set up the other three goals as Internacional crushed their opponents 4-1 in that game but coach Abel Braga has moved quickly to deflect attention from the teenager.

"We are trying to take away any pressure," the coach said. "He knows he needs to be free of pressure. "

"He's just a 17-year-old boy and I'd like to leave him as he is. Leave the boy so he can play on the pitch."

Shielding Pato from the glare of the world's media may become a thankless task.

He has continued to progress since his maiden appearance and was one of Internacional's stars as they beat Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the semi-final of the Club World Cup, scoring the opening goal and causing no end of problems in the final third.

He also found himself in the starting line up against Spanish giants Barca in the final.

Although it was Pato's replacement, Adriano, who eventually grabbed the winner the young forward more than held his own against some of the best defenders in Europe and carved out a handful of early chances for the underdogs.

Such eye-catching displays are likely to draw admiring glances from clubs in Spain, Italy and even the Netherlands - where Ronaldo started his European career with PSV Eindhoven - but at the moment Braga is keen to ensure he develops in to a major player for Internacional.

"In order for him to become a regular player on our team he needs to have good technique and skill and we are in a very good environment at the moment," Braga said.

"He's a boy and sometimes he's childish but his presence is a positive thing. When we have interviews they put too much pressure on him. I would like to avoid that. Someday he will appear in front of you but please wait for that."

Club captain Fernandao stressed that he and his team-mates were doing all they could to allow Pato to concentrate on his game.

"He's very skilful and the way we support him is by reducing the amount of pressure on him," he said.

"I'm sure he has the skill and the talent to decide a game but we don't want him to feel that this is his responsibility."

"Even if he's a young boy he's welcome in the team. We don't feel he is nervous. He is kind of childish in a way as he has a lot of humour and he always plays around."

"He is a member of the national Under-18 team and he is already an experienced player and if he is calm, I feel calm too."

With Pato rapidly emerging as one of world football's hottest new talents, keeping everyone else calm could be the hard part.


Last modified: 21 December 2006 05:59:30

He Is Like The New Inzaghi But Can Run With The Ball Would Be A Very Good Signing In My Eyes
P.s He Is Called The Duck

This is the kid that I was talking about

It could be asked what this have to do in a forum for dedicated to Milan players.

from the moment i saw that boy play against barca i knew that milan would go for him but chelsea want to act as spoilers.

Well hopefully the kid sees what Chelsea can do to good players who moved there for the money.

The real competition will be between Milan, inter and maybe even Arsenal :P

have we already signed him can someone tell me please???

no, we simply expressed interest in him - I think a Milan official was quoted for saying that - but nothing more than that so far.

Originally Posted by cdawg786

Well hopefully the kid sees what Chelsea can do to good players who moved there for the money.

The real competition will be between Milan, inter and maybe even Arsenal :P

Yes, Arsenal's linked to him, even before the Internacional v. Barcelona game.

His whole name is Alexandre Pato Silva

Entropy, your on the ARsenal Mania forum too aren't you?

I'm on there as well, Kooldawg is my id there.

Originally Posted by cdawg786

Entropy, your on the ARsenal Mania forum too aren't you?

I'm on there as well, Kooldawg is my id there.

Nice to see you here then.

Did you guys see that?...I'm from Brazil and Pato came on and scored 2 nice goals If he joins us it would be awesome Just let's hope that we're actually going for him.

He has a lot of talent and I can't wait to see him in our shirt

A lot of hype surrounding this kid and at the recent South American U-20 Championships it's only got bigger.

Here's a vid of some of the stuff he's been doing in the tournament...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9nN9xlh5fY

With young players like this it would really be best if we could do it like the Kaka transfer. To let them stay and mature with their club in Brazil and then get them when they more assuredly can make the difference. It is always a risk of the player failing or not performing as well and then it was al wasted both for player and club.

I am not exactly convinced he is good enough to just start with us at this present point. Buy and loan out like Inter did with Adriano?

Originally Posted by kris

With young players like this it would really be best if we could do it like the Kaka transfer. To let them stay and mature with their club in Brazil and then get them when they more assuredly can make the difference. It is always a risk of the player failing or not performing as well and then it was al wasted both for player and club.

I am not exactly convinced he is good enough to just start with us at this present point. Buy and loan out like Inter did with Adriano?

Agreed we should let him grow for now, though trying to make sure he is ours should we want him.