Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation:[aleˈʃɐ̃dɾiʁoˈdɾiɡizdɐˈsiwvɐ]; born 2 September 1989), commonly known asAlexandre Pato (pronounced[ˈpatu]) or justPato, is a Brazilian former professionalfootballer who played as astriker.
Pato began his career as a youth player forInternacional in 2000, making his debut in 2006 at age 16. He went on to score 12 goals in 27 appearances and helped them win the2006 FIFA Club World Cup. In August 2007, he signed for Italian sideAC Milan. In 2009, he scored 18 goals in 42 matches in all competitions, which earned him both theGolden Boy andSerie A Young Footballer of the Year awards. During the2010–11 season, he helped Milan win theSerie A, where he was the club's joint top scorer with 14 goals in 25 games. In January 2013, Pato returned to Brazil, signing for €15 million with Corinthians, where he won theCampeonato Paulista. In 2014, Pato joined São Paulo on a two-year loan deal, where he played 95 games, scoring 38 goals for the club. In January 2016, Pato transferred to EnglishPremier League club Chelsea on a loan deal before going to Spanish sideVillarreal that same year. In 2017, he signed for Chinese clubTianjin Tianhai, and in 2019 went back to São Paulo.
A full international for Brazil since 2008, Pato was part of their squads which won the2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and competed at the2011 Copa América. He also won two consecutive Olympic medals for the country, a bronze in 2008, and silver four years later.
Pato started his career at Internacional's youth teams, gaining a lot of visibility on his skills, strength and technique. At 16, he was already playing in the Brazilian under-20 championship, where Inter defeatedGrêmio 4–0 in the final. Pato was that tournament's top scorer.[citation needed]
Pato signed his first professional contract withSport Club Internacional to compete in brazilian championship of 2006 with the first team. At the age of 17, in November that same year, his debut finally happened at theEstádio Palestra Itália againstSão Paulo teamPalmeiras for theCampeonato 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 (and almost scoring another himself) to help Internacional rout Palmeiras 4–1. He was substituted off in the 77th minute.[citation needed]
Pato was included in the Internacional squad that won the2006 FIFA Club World Cup. He scored against Egyptian clubAl Ahly in the semi-finals. At the age of 17 years and 102 days, this made Pato the youngest goalscorer at a senior men's FIFA tournament. He broke the record ofPelé, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he scored againstWales at the1958 FIFA World Cup.[3]
Keeping up with his promising figure, Pato debuted at theCampeonato Gaúcho on 24 February againstVeranópolis and scored a goal in the 2–1 victory. He also debuted inCopa Libertadores on 28 February againstEmelec of Ecuador (also his first game at Beira-Rio) and scored once during the 3–0 thumping. But the biggest highlight of Pato's time with Internacional was during theRecopa Sudamericana, as he helped Internacional win their first ever title of that competition. AgainstPachuca 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 51,000Colorados present, Pato had a great performance as he scored once to lead the team to win their third international title.[citation needed]
IncumbentEuropean championsAC Milan of the ItalianSerie A officially confirmed the signing of Pato on 2 August 2007 for a fee of about €24 million.[4][5]
Due to FIFA football regulations regarding non-EU minors, Pato was unable to play official matches for Milan until 3 January 2008, when the Italiantransfer window and registration reopened.[6] 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 againstDynamo Kyiv on 7 September 2007 and scored a header. On 4 January 2008, Pato's transfer to Milan became official.[7]
Pato scored his first Milan goal on his Serie A debut againstNapoli in a 5–2 home victory on 13 January 2008. He scored his first brace for Milan, in a 2–0 victory overGenoa at theSan Siro on 27 January. He finished the2007–08 season with 9 goals in 20 appearances (18 in the league).[citation needed]
In late 2008, Pato scored two goals in Milan's 5–1 win overUdinese just before the Christmas break, and managed to shine again with a brace againstRoma the following matchday at theStadio 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 againstFiorentina on 18 January. On 15 February, he scored his 11th goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat against home rivalsInternazionale. On 26 February, Pato scored his 12th goal of the season againstWerder Bremen in theUEFA 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 againstSiena on 15 March. Pato finished the2008–09 season as Milan's top goalscorer with 18 goals.[citation needed]
On 22 August 2009, in the first Serie A match of the2009–10 season, Pato scored a goal in each half during the 2–1 win against Siena.[8] Around two months later, on 21 October 2009, during matchday three ofthe Champions league group stage, Pato scored two second-half goals in a 3–2 win againstReal Madrid at theSantiago Bernabéu Stadium. He has since played at the right wing in a 4–3–3 formation. On 18 January 2010, Pato was awarded the 2009Serie A Young Footballer of the Year award at theOscar 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 againstUdinese,Bari and Fiorentina. On 28 February, he scored a brace in the first half at the San Siro, helping Milan beatAtalanta 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 andManchester 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.[citation needed]
In the first match of the season againstLecce, he scored two goals in Milan's 4–0 win. However, he found himself on the treatment table after his second match of the season, which ruled him out for the next three matches. In his next full match after his injury, he scored twice againstChievo at the San Siro, returning to his position as a striker in a 4–3–1–2 formation. He then scored once again againstBari at theStadio 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.[citation needed]
On 9 January, he scored his first two goals of 2011 to help Milan draw 4–4 againstUdinese after going down 3–1. On 26 January, he scored two goals helping Milan to win 2–1 againstSampdoria inCoppa Italia. On 6 February he scored a goal againstGenoa helping Milan to draw 1–1. Another remarkable goal came on 20 February when he scored the winner in a 2–1 away victory over Chievo, by dribbling in between two defenders and finishing with a shot off the post. He scored the third goal after assistingKevin-Prince Boateng in a 3–0 victory over Napoli on 28 February. With fellow strikerZlatan Ibrahimović suspended for theDerby 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.[citation needed]
Pato playing for Milan in 2010
On 13 September, in aChampions League group-stage match againstBarcelona, Pato scored the fifth-fastest goal in the competition's history, 24 seconds after kick-off.[9] Later that month, he suffered a thigh injury during a 1–1 draw withUdinese.[10] 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 againstViktoria Plzeň and setupRobinho in a 2–2 draw. He started againstBologna the next week in a 2–2 draw. In January 2012, Pato was on the brink of moving to FrenchLigue 1 sideParis Saint-Germain. This move would have given Milan the opportunity to make a bid forManchester City'sCarlos Tevez. On 12 January, however, Pato refused the transfer, citing his commitment to Milan. During theCoppa Italia round of 16 victory overNovara, 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.[citation needed]
Before the start of the new season, Pato switched to thesquad number 9, asFilippo Inzaghi had retired at the end of the 2011–12 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 assistedStephan El Shaarawy for the second goal in a 3–2 away defeat toLazio. 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 againstMálaga. He scored for the last time for Milan in the Champions League againstAnderlecht on 21 November 2012. Due to his poor performances throughout the 2011–12 season, Pato was awarded the 2012Bidone d'oro, a satirical prize, which is given to the worst Serie A player during a particular season.[11]
On 3 January 2013, Pato signed forCorinthians for a fee of €15 million[12] on a four-year deal. His debut for the club occurred againstOeste, with Pato scoring on his first touch on the ball after a pass byPaulinho, maintaining his reputation of scoring in his debut matches. On 27 February 2013 in theCopa Libertadores he scored against Colombian teamMillonarios with a volley from a cross.
In May 2013, however, Pato was criticized by fans of Corinthians, after he missed two open goals againstGoiás. The forward was defended by his coachTite. According to the manager, "This pressure comes from his high transfer fee. But football is not only about money. If it was just about money, we would not have wonLibertadores last year."[13]
On 6 June, after Corinthians lost toCruzeiro 1–0, Pato was criticised again by Fiel, the largest Corinthians supporters' club. He missed four goal chances, and once again was defended by Tite. According to the coach, "He's improved in precision. I asked for this after the game againstPonte 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 thatFábio had a very happy game, it was his merit. If Pato had missed, I would ask him to improve. But today wasFábio's merit."[14]
On 7 July, afterEmerson Sheik's andDanilo's injuries and ten games without a goal, Pato was in the 11-team ofAlvinegro and scored twice in Corinthians' victory againstBahia.[15]
On 24 October, Pato missed a final penalty in apenalty shootout againstGrêmio that saw his Corinthians team knocked out of theCopa do Brasil.[16] He attempted apanenka chip down the middle but got no power behind the shot, and it was easily caught by Grêmio goalkeeper and former Milan teammateDida.
On 2 December, It was reported that Pato was subject of a £6.6m bid fromPremier League clubArsenal, however Corinthians rejected the offer as it was short of their £10m asking price.[17]
On 5 February 2014, Pato moved toSão Paulo in exchange forJádson moving to Corinthians.[18] While Jádson moved to Corinthians permanently, Pato transferred toTricolor until December 2015, during which time half of his salary (R$400,000) would continue to be paid by Corinthians. If Pato received a proposal in June or July, when the transfer window re-opened in Europe, he would be negotiated to cover Corinthians investment of €15 million.[19]
According to Pato's agent, Gilmar Veloz, he left Corinthians becauseMano Menezes, the new coach of club, contrary to Tite, his predecessor, did not want Pato at the club. Menezes preferred a midfielder, therefore Jádson, who was sitting on the bench at São Paulo, went the opposite way. In Veloz's words, "He [Pato] stayed with no place with new coach [Menezes], who wanted Jádson and did not want Pato. He had other plans, another tactical system in his mind. Pato was not important for Mano's scheme."[20] On 10 April 2014, in his second game for São Paulo, Pato scored his first goal for his new club, againstCentro Sportivo Alagoano. He had made his debut in the second round of theBrazilian Cup in the first leg match against Alagoano. In a 3–0 victory in the second leg, Pato scored the first goal of the game, after an assist coming fromMaicon.[21]
Pato taking a penalty on his debut forChelsea in 2016
Without any transfer offers, Pato returned to Corinthians after his loan ended.[22]
On 26 January 2016, Pato flew to London to undergo a medical at EnglishPremier League sideChelsea.[23][24][25] Three days later, Chelsea announced the signing of Pato on loan from the Brazilian club, until the end of the 2015–16 season. Upon signing, Pato said, "I am so happy to sign for Chelsea. It is a dream for me. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know my new team-mates and cannot wait to play."[26]
On 2 April, he made his debut away toAston Villa as a 23rd-minute substitute for the injuredLoïc Rémy; in first-half added time, he won a penalty when fouled byAly Cissokho and converted it pastBrad Guzan for the second goal of a 4–0 win. He became the sixth Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut, with teammateWillian among the others.[27] After a season with only two appearances, Chelsea decided not to sign Pato and he returned to Corinthians.[28]
On 26 July 2016, Corinthians confirmed the transfer of Pato toLa Liga clubVillarreal,[29] with 60% of his federative rights being bought for a fee of €3 million.[30] He scored on his club debut, in a 2–1 home defeat toMonaco in aChampions League play-off match on 17 August.[31] He made hisLa Liga debut with the club in a 1–1 away draw againstGranada on 20 August.[32] In the club's openingUEFA Europa League group match of the season on 15 September, Pato scored and assisted a goal as Villarreal came from behind to defeatZürich 2–1 at home.[33]
On 30 January 2017, Pato transferred to Chinese clubTianjin Quanjian for a €18 million transfer fee to play under Italian coachFabio Cannavaro.[34]
On 4 March 2017, Pato made his debut for Quanjian in a 2–0 loss toGuangzhou R&F, where he missed several chances for the newly promoted side.[35] A week later he missed an 88th-minute penalty kick in a 1–1 draw withShanghai Greenland Shenhua, denying Quanjian its first everChinese Super League win.[36]
On 27 March 2019, Pato returned toSão Paulo. After his signing, the club announced him under the phrase: "Aqui o coração bate mais forte" (Here, the heart beats stronger), in an allusion to Pato's goal celebrations, when he beats the left side of his chest. He signed a deal until the end of 2022.[37][38]
On 19 August 2020, Pato reached an agreement with São Paulo for the termination of his contract, ending his second stint at the club with nine goals scored in 35 appearances.[39]
Having teased his arrival with a series of duck-themed social media posts the day before,MLS sideOrlando City announced the arrival of Pato as a free agent signing on a one-year contract ahead of the2021 season on 13 February 2021.[40] He made his club debut on 17 April, starting in the team's season opener at home againstAtlanta United but was forced off injured in the 80th minute of the goalless draw.[41] He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May as a result of the injury.[42] After setbacks during his recovery, Pato made his second Orlando City appearance 187 days after his first, entering as an 86th-minute substitute on 20 October 2021 in a 1–1 draw withCF Montréal. He finished the season with 116 minutes played in five appearances across all competitions.[43] Ahead of the 2022 season, Pato re-signed with Orlando on a one-year contract.[44] On 14 November 2022, as part of the team's end of season roster decisions, it was announced Orlando was not in discussions with Pato to renew his contract for the 2023 campaign.[45]
On 26 May 2023, Pato rejoined São Paulo on a deal running until December 2023, with the option for an extension until December 2024.[46] However he would let his contract expire in December 2023 and would leave the club. On 1 January 2025, Pato announced his retirement from professional football.
Pato 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 theUnited States on 10 August 2010. He scored the second goal in Brazil's 3–0 win againstIran on 7 October 2010. Pato's success in the Brazil national team continued as he again scored in a friendly match againstUkraine, where they won 2–0.
On 15 August 2012, Pato scored twice as Brazil beat Sweden 3–0 in the final international match at theRåsunda Stadium inStockholm. He entered in the 76th, scored on a header in the 85th and converted a penalty kick two minutes later after a foul byPontus Wernbloom.
A quick, agile, and creativeforward with excellent technical ability and an eye for goal, Pato was considered to be one of the world's most promising young footballing stars in his youth; his former managers Dunga andCarlo Ancelotti likened his ability to that of other famous Brazilian attacking players, such asCareca,Kaká,Romário andRonaldo.[55][56] A versatile forward, he is capable of playing anywhere along the front line, in the centre as a mainstriker, in asupporting role, or on eitherflank; despite being right footed, he can strike the ball well and powerfully with both feet, beat opponents whendribbling, and create chances for teammates. He is also effective in the air and accurate with his head, despite not being particularly tall or physically imposing for a footballer.[57][58]
In 2010,Don Balón listed him as one of the 100 most talented young players born after 1989.[59] As his career progressed with Milan, however, he suffered numerous recurring injuries which affected his pace, fitness, consistency and mobility, and which limited his amount of playing time at a young age.[60] As a result, he is regarded by some in the media to have failed to live up to his initial potential.[61] Hisgoal celebration would often see him make a 'heart' gesture.[62]
Pato said in an interview with the Brazilian television programEsporte Espetacular that, at age 11, he broke his arm. Doctors found a tumor in the arm and feared that it needed to be amputated. His surgery to remove the tumor was successful, however.[63]
In 2007, Pato was engaged to Brazilian actressSthefany Brito. They mutually split up in January 2009.[64] They got back together, and married on 7 July 2009 in a ceremony at theCopacabana Palace inRio de Janeiro.[65] The marriage lasted less than 10 months; the couple divorced on 21 April 2010, with Brito citing Pato's constant partying as the reason for their split.[66] In 2010, he had a brief romance with Miss Brazil 2010,Débora Lyra.[67]
On 2 July 2013, after two-and-a-half-year relationship, Pato broke up with girlfriendBarbara Berlusconi, a director ofAC Milan and daughter of club ownerSilvio Berlusconi.[68] At the end of 2014, Pato began dating Brazilian actress, model, and television presenterFiorella Mattheis.[69] They separated on 4 July 2017.[70]
He is currently married to Rebeca Abravanel, television presenter and the daughter ofSBT ownerSilvio Santos.[71][72]
Pato is aChristian. After going to church once with Rebeca Abravanel before they were married, Pato described the impact it had on him by saying, "Man, it was a revelation. The Bible had all the answers I was looking for. I turned my head to the sky and said, 'Lord, I no longer want this life.' That day my life changed forever."[73]
In November 2024, he began his career as a sports commentator on SBT.[74]
^"The FIFA Club World Cup in numbers". FIFA.Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved31 January 2022.Seventeen years and three months was the age at which Alexandre Pato broke Pele's record – set for Brazil against Wales at Sweden 1958 – to become the youngest scorer in a senior FIFA men's tournament.
^"2008 Annual Report"(PDF) (in Italian). AC Milan. 2 September 2010 [Originally published circa April 2009]. pp. 180–181. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 14 May 2013. Retrieved11 June 2011.
^Plusvalenze da cessione dei diritti pluriennali alle prestazionidei calciatori"2013 Bilancio" [2013 Annual Report](PDF). A.C. Milan. p. 53. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 1 May 2015. Retrieved28 May 2015.
^"São Paulo e Alexandre Pato rescindem contrato" [São Paulo and Alexandre Pato revoke contract].Globoesporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). 19 August 2020.Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved21 August 2020.
^Luca Calamai (4 December 2007)."Il Fenomeno PATO" [PATO the phenomenon].La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian).Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved24 May 2015.
^Stefano Cantalupi; Valerio Clari (16 December 2009)."Next Generation: Pato Il futuro ha il suo re" [Next Generation: Pato The future has its king].La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved24 May 2015.
^Francesco Letizia (14 January 2007)."Alexandre Pato, un "papero" di successo" [Aleandre Pato, a "duck" of success] (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb.Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved18 August 2016.
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