Alexandre Pato
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

This is a Portuguese name; the first family name is Rodrigues and the second is Silva.

Alexandre Pato Alexandre Pato Brazil.jpg
Personal information
Full name Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva
Date of birth 2 September 1989 (1989-09-02) (age 20)
Place of birth Pato Branco, Brazil
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Playing position Striker, Winger
Club information
Current club Milan
Number 7
Youth career
2000–2006 Internacional
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2007 Internacional 10 (6)
2007– Milan 74 (36)
National team‡
2008 Brazil Olympic 6 (2)
2008– Brazil 8 (1)
Honours[show]
Competitor for Brazil
Men's Football
Bronze 2008 Beijing Team Competition
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 February 2010.

† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 24 October 2009

Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (born 2 September 1989 in Pato Branco, Paraná), commonly known as Alexandre Pato, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker for Italian Serie A club Milan and the Brazilian national team. The nickname "Pato" is in honour of his place of birth, but has led to commentators calling him "The Duck", which is the literal translation of "Pato" from Portuguese. He is known for his quick pace, skillful dribbling and powerful shot. He is regarded as one of the most promising young prospects in world football.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Early career
* 2 Club career
o 2.1 Internacional
o 2.2 Milan
+ 2.2.1 2007–08 season
+ 2.2.2 2008–09 season
+ 2.2.3 2009–10 season
* 3 International career
* 4 Personal life
* 5 Career statistics
o 5.1 International statistics
* 6 Honours
* 7 References
o 7.1 Publications
o 7.2 Citations
* 8 External links

[edit] Early career

He started playing indoor football (futsal) in his hometown at the age of three. Soon, his ability became known all around the south Brazilian state of Paraná for being skillful and talented goal scorer and, after being praised by many of his managers, the teenager went to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, to try out for Grêmio. He was turned away by Grêmio, the club whom he had supported since a boy – but local rivals Internacional convinced him to play for them. Despite the two clubs being bitter enemies, Pato’s parents convinced their youngster to switch his allegiance.[2][3]

In 2000, when he was aged 11, his doctors determined he had a potentially malignant tumor in his left arm, which occurred after he had broken it twice in the same place. If it had not been removed, he faced the possibility of it becoming cancerous in two months. His family couldn't afford the surgery but one of their family friends, who is a doctor, operated as a volunteer for free.[4]
[edit] Club career
[edit] Internacional

On his first team debut on November 26, 2006, at the age of 17, he helped Internacional to a 4-1 win over Palmeiras. In this game, Pato had three assists and also scored a goal. His appearance put the spotlight on the young player and created expectations and comparisons with another Brazilian superstar, the then Real Madrid player, and ex-team-mate Ronaldo.[5]

Following this stunning debut, Pato was included in the Internacional squad that travelled to Japan in December 2006 to compete at the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup. Internacional had qualified for this tournament by winning the 2006 Copa Libertadores in August. On December 13, 2006, Pato scored Internacional’s first goal of the tournament in the 23rd minute of the semi-final against African club champions Al-Ahly, played at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. He was later substituted in the 65th minute due to cramp in his right leg. His replacement, Luiz Adriano, scored in the 72nd minute to give Internacional a 2-1 win and a place in the final against UEFA Champions League champions Barcelona.[6]

The 2006 FIFA Club World Cup Final was played at the International Stadium against FC Barcelona in Yokohama on December 17, 2006, in front of 67,128 spectators. Alexandre Pato started the game, but was substituted by Luiz Adriano in the 61st minute with the score still 0-0. Therefore Pato was not on the field when Adriano Gabiru scored in the 82nd minute, giving Internacional a shock 1-0 win and, ultimately, the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.[7]
[edit] Milan
[edit] 2007–08 season

Incumbent European champions Milan officially confirmed the signing of Pato on 2 August 2007,[8] paying €22,000,000 to transfer his contract from Internacional.[9] 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.[10] However, Milan was 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 Kiev on 7 September 2007 and scored a header. On 4 January 2008, Pato's transfer to Milan became official.[11]

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 2008. He finished the 2007–08 season with 9 goals in 20 appearances (18 in the league).
[edit] 2008–09 season

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.
[edit] 2009–10 season

On 22 August 2009, in the first Serie A match of the 2009/2010 season, Pato scored a goal in each half during the 2-1 win against Siena.[12] Around two months later, on 21 October 2009, during matchday 3 of the Champions league group stage, Pato scored 2 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. He has been of a fine run of form scoring almost a goal a game since Leonardo's tactical switch to a 4-2-1-3 with Pato playing at the right.[13] On January 18 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 on February 12, Pato scored a first-half goal at San Siro versus Udinese, rounding the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. The game finished 3-2 to AC Milan. On February 21 he scored the second goal in a 2-0 away win against Bari. Three days later, he scored the winning goal at the 92nd minute at Stadio Artemio Franchi in a 2-1 victory against Fiorentina. On February 28, he scored a brace in the first half at the San Siro, helping AC Milan beat Atalanta 3-1 but coming off halfway through the second half due to a muscular problem. This muscular problem forced him to miss two crucial trips to Roma and Manchester United.
[edit] 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.[14] 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.[3]
[edit] Personal life

Since 2007, Pato had been engaged to Brazilian actress Sthefany Brito, two years his senior. They split up in January 2009 and it was stated that it was a mutual decision as neither of them could keep a long-distance relationship.[15] However, they got back together and on the evening of 7 July 2009, Pato and Sthefany wed in a ceremony at the Copacabana Palace, in Rio.[16]
[edit] Career statistics
Club Season Domestic
League Domestic
Cups Continental
Competitions1 Other
Tournaments2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Internacional
2006

1

1

-

-

-

-

2

1

3

2
2007

9

5

-

-

7

4

9

3

25

12
Total 10 6 - - 7 4 11 4 28 14
Milan
2007–08

18

9

-

-

2

0

-

-

20

9
2008–09

36

15

-

-

6

3

-

-

42

18
2009–10

20

12

-

-

5

2

-

-

25

14
Total 74 36 - - 13 5 - - 87 41
Career Total 84 42 - - 20 9 11 4 115 55

Senior club appearances and goals correct as of 12 February, 2010.

1Continental Competitions include the Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League
2Other Tournaments include the FIFA Club World Cup and Campeonato Gaúcho
[edit] International statistics

As of June 28, 2009[17][18]

National team Club Season Apps Goals
Brazil Milan 2007–2008 3 1
2008–2009 5 0
Total 8 1

[show]International appearances and goals
# Date Venue Opponent Result Goal Competition
2007–2008
1. March 26, 2008 London, England Sweden 1–0 1 Friendly
2. May 31, 2008 Seattle, United States Canada 3–2 0 Friendly
3. June 6, 2008 Boston, United States Venezuela 0–2 0 Friendly
June 22, 2008 Volta Redonda, Brazil Brazil Rio de Janeiro State Selection 1–0 1 Unofficial friendly (Brazil U-23)
2008–2009
July 28, 2008 Singapore Singapore 3–0 0 Friendly (Brazil U-23)
August 1, 2008 Hanoi, Vietnam Vietnam 3–0 1 Friendly (Brazil U-23)
August 7, 2008 Shenyang, China PR Belgium 1–0 0 2008 Olympic Games (Brazil U-23)
August 10, 2008 Shenyang, China PR New Zealand 5–0 1 2008 Olympic Games (Brazil U-23)
August 13, 2008 Qinhuangdao, China PR China PR 3–0 0 2008 Olympic Games (Brazil U-23)
August 19, 2008 Beijing, China PR Argentina 0–3 0 2008 Olympic Games (Brazil U-23)
4. October 15, 2008 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Colombia 0–0 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
5. February 10, 2009 London, England Italy 2–0 0 Friendly
6. April 1, 2009 Porto Alegre, Brazil Peru 3-0 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7. June 10, 2009 Recife, Brazil Paraguay 2-1 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8. June 15, 2009 Bloemfontein, South Africa Egypt 4–3 0 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
[edit] Honours

Internacional

* Recopa Sudamericana: 2007
* FIFA Club World Cup: 2006

International

* FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009
* South American Youth Championship: 2007 South American U-20 Championship
* Sendai Cup: 2006
* 2008 Beijing Olympics: Men's football bronze medal

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