Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐleˈʃɐ̃dɾi ʁoˈdɾiɡiz dɐ

ˈsiwvɐ]; born 2 September 1989), commonly known as Alexandre Pato ([ˈpatu]) or just
Pato, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward. He is
currently a free agent, having most recently played for São Paulo.[2]

Pato began his career as a youth player for Internacional in 2000, making his debut
in 2006 at age 16. He went on to score 12 goals in 27 appearances and helped them
win the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup. In August 2007, he signed for Italian side Milan.
In 2009, he scored 18 goals in 42 matches in all competitions, which earned him
both the Golden Boy and Serie A Young Footballer of the Year awards. During the
2010–11 season, he helped Milan win the Serie 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 Corinthians for €15 million, where he won the Campeonato Paulista with the
club. In 2014, Pato joined São Paulo on a two-year loan deal, where he went on to
play 95 games, scoring 38 goals for the club. In January 2016, Pato transferred to
English Premier League club Chelsea on a loan deal, before going to Spanish side
Villarreal later that same year. In 2017, he signed for Chinese club Tianjin
Tianhai, and, in 2019, went back to São Paulo.

A full international for Brazil since 2008, Pato was part of their squads which won
the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and competed at the 2011 Copa América. He also won
two consecutive Olympic medals for the country, a bronze in 2008, and silver four
years later.

Contents
1 Club career
1.1 Internacional
1.2 Milan
1.2.1 2007–2010: Breakthrough seasons
1.2.2 2011–2013: Injuries
1.3 Corinthians
1.3.1 Loan to São Paulo
1.3.2 Loan to Chelsea
1.4 Villarreal
1.5 Tianjin Quanjian
1.6 Return to São Paulo
2 International career
3 Style of play
4 Personal life
5 Career statistics
5.1 Club
5.2 International
6 Honours
6.1 Club
6.2 International
6.3 Individual
7 References
7.1 Publications
7.2 Citations
8 External links
Club career
Internacional
In June 2006, at only age 16, 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 (and almost scoring
another himself) to help Internacional rout Palmeiras 4–1. He was substituted off
in the 77th minute.

He 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 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 (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 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 to lead the team to win their 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 for a fee of about €24 million.[3][4]

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.[5] 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.[6]

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 9
goals in 20 appearances (18 in the league).

Pato (left) playing for Milan in 2010

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.[7] 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 Santiago
Bernabéu Stadium. 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.

2011–2013: Injuries
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 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 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 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
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.

Pato playing for Milan in 2010

On 13 September, in a Champions League group-stage match against Barcelona, Pato
scored the fifth-fastest goal in the competition's history, 24 seconds after kick-
off.[8] Later that month, he suffered a thigh injury during a 1–1 draw with
Udinese.[9] 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 Tevez. 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 2011–12 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 assisted
Stephan 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 Málaga. He scored for the last
time for Milan in the Champions League against Anderlecht on 21 November 2012. Due
to his poor performances throughout the 2011–12 season, Pato was awarded the 2012
Bidone d'oro, a satirical prize, which is given to the worst Serie A player during
a particular season.[10]

Corinthians
On 3 January 2013, Pato signed for Corinthians for a fee of €15 million[11] on 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.

In May 2013, however, Pato was criticized by fans of Corinthians, after he missed
two open goals against Goiás. The forward was defended by his coach Tite. 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 won
Libertadores last year."[12]

On 6 June, after Corinthians lost to Cruzeiro 1–0, Pato was criticised again by
Fiel, the largest Corinthians supporters' club. The former milanista 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 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. But today was
Fábio's merit."[13]

On 7 July, after Emerson Sheik's and Danilo's injuries and ten games without a
goal, Pato was in the 11-team of Alvinegro and scored twice in Corinthians' victory
against Bahia.[14]

On 24 October, Pato missed a final penalty in a penalty shootout against Grêmio

that saw his Corinthians team knocked out of the Copa do Brasil.[15] He attempted a
panenka chip down the middle but got no power behind the shot, and it was easily
caught by Grêmio goalkeeper and former Milan teammate Dida.

Loan to São Paulo

On 5 February 2014, Pato moved to São Paulo in exchange for Jádson moving to
Corinthians.[16] While Jádson moved to Corinthians permanently, Pato transferred to
Tricolor 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.[17]

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 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."[18] On 10 April 2014, in his second game for São Paulo, Pato scored his
first goal for his new club, against Centro Sportivo Alagoano. He had made his
debut in the second round of the Brazilian 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 from Maicon.[19]

Loan to Chelsea

Pato taking a penalty on his debut for Chelsea in 2016

Without any transfer offers, Pato returned to Corinthians after his loan ended.[20]

On 26 January 2016, Pato flew to London to undergo a medical at English Premier

League side Chelsea.[21][22][23] 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."[24]

On 2 April, he made his debut away to Aston Villa as a 23rd-minute substitute for
the injured Loïc Rémy; in first-half added time, he won a penalty when fouled by
Aly Cissokho and converted it past Brad Guzan for the second goal of a 4–0 win. He
became the sixth Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut, with teammate
Willian among the others.[25] After a season with only two appearances, Chelsea
decided not to sign Pato and he returned to Corinthians.[26]

Villarreal
On 26 July 2016, Corinthians confirmed the transfer of Pato to La Liga club
Villarreal,[27] with 60% of his federative rights being bought for a fee of €3
million.[28] He scored on his club debut, in a 2–1 home defeat to Monaco in a
Champions League play-off match on 17 August.[29] He made his La Liga debut with
the club in a 1–1 away draw against Granada on 20 August.[30] In the club's opening
UEFA Europa League group match of the season on 15 September, Pato scored and
assisted a goal as Villareal came from behind to defeat Zürich 2–1 at home.[31]

Tianjin Quanjian
On 30 January 2017, Pato transferred to Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian for a €18
million transfer fee to play under Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro.[32]

On 4 March 2017, Pato made his debut for Quanjian in a 2–0 loss to Guangzhou R&F,
where he missed several chances for the newly promoted side.[33] A week later he
missed an 88th-minute penalty kick in a 1–1 draw with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua,
denying Quanjian its first ever Chinese Super League win.[34]

Return to São Paulo

On 27 March 2019, Pato returned to São 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.[35][36]

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.[37]

International career

Pato playing for Brazil in 2008

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.[38] He scored his first goal for the
senior Brazilian team on his debut against Sweden at the Emirates Stadium, London,
on 26 March 2008, beating Pelé's record of scoring a goal within seconds of his
full international debut.[39]

He took part at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa, where he played only
in the first round match against Egypt.[40] However, he was not called by Dunga to
play in the 2010 World Cup.[41][42]
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 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 also participated in the 2011 Copa América,[43] and scored a brace in the
group stage against Ecuador.[44]

Pato was named to the Brazil Olympic Football team for the London 2012 Olympics. He
scored his nation's opening goal against Belarus at Old Trafford from a header, as
Brazil came from behind to win the match 3–1.[45]

On 15 August 2012, Pato scored twice as Brazil beat Sweden 3–0 in the final
international match at the Råsunda 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.

Style of play
A quick, agile and creative forward 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 and Carlo Ancelotti likened his
ability to that of other famous Brazilian attacking players, such as Careca, Kaká,
Romário and Ronaldo.[46][47] A versatile forward, he is capable of playing anywhere
along the front line, in the centre as a main striker, in a supporting role, or on
either flank; despite being right footed, he can strike the ball well and
powerfully with both feet, beat opponents when dribbling, 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.[48][49]

In 2010, Don Balón listed him as one of the 100 most talented young players born
after 1989.[50] 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.[51] As a result, he is
regarded by some in the media to have failed to live up to his initial potential.
[52] His goal celebration would often see him make a ‘heart’ gesture.[53]