FIFA.com: Looking back to where it all began, you made your first start for Internacional in the Brazilian championship at 17. Was that a dream come true?
Pato: My first competitive game ended up being a victory that I played a big role in. I made an assist for the team and scored my first goal. My debut remains a wonderful memory.

A few weeks later, in Japan, you started against Ahly Sporting Club in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Aged just 17 years and 102 days, you became the youngest player to score in a senior FIFA competition, beating the record set by a certain Pele. What did that mean to you?
It was huge. A month after making my debut, I heard people talking about my performances, saying: ‘Pato has scored so many goals so young. He’s a new phenomenon.’ What was happening to me was flattering and exceptional. But reputation isn’t enough alone; you also need luck and I had that too, given I went to Japan with one of the best clubs around at the time, Internacional.

You have scored a lot of goals but you also excel with your final ball. Do you see yourself more as a team player or an individual talent?
I always want to score. I repeat that over and over to myself in my head. But, if I can’t manage to score goals, I need to extend myself to help my team. Football is a game of 11 players and if we don’t help each other out, we don’t get anywhere. If we play together, the goals come naturally.

Inter, Chelsea and Real Madrid were all interested in signing you, so why did you join AC Milan?
My choice was influenced by my family and my agent. Lots of Brazilians play at the club, such as Emerson, who I already knew. When I announced my decision to my parents, they told me: ‘Off you go, we’re certain you’ll have a fantastic career.’

You joined Milan in summer 2007, but the rules stopped you from making your debut until the following year. How hard was that to live with?
Those four months without playing allowed me to get integrated into the squad. I took part in all the training sessions and all the away trips. I was able to soak in Italian football. After that, 2008 was a total pleasure on a personal front. I made my debut in my new colours, I scored my first goals and I kept progressing. Next year, I hope we go far in the UEFA Cup and that we’ll play in the Champions League next season.

You are surrounded by Brazilians at Milan. Has that made it easier for you to settle in?
When I arrived, I didn’t speak Italian. The Brazilians at the club, among others, have been incredible in helping me settle, both in sporting and non-sporting terms. To this day, we still dine together often and share the same pursuits.

One of those Brazilian players was, of course, Ronaldo, with whom you played last year. You have never hidden your admiration for him.
To play alongside him was a moment I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life. When I was a kid, out on the pitch I always used to say to my friends ‘I’m Ronaldo, I’m Ronaldo,’ while wearing the shirt of my idol. I hope to have a career as successful as his.

Moving on to the national team, with just one defeat and the best defence in South America, how do you think the remainder of your qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ will go?
Right now, Brazil are in a good position to qualify. We’re second, six points behind the leaders. Paraguay have played some really good football and taken some very important points from difficult matches. For our part, we’ve dropped lots of points at home. Every home game is a challenge for our opponents. They’re spurred on by the stakes and always want to outdo themselves because they’re up against Brazil. As for us, we need to constantly give everything, particularly for all the people who support us. That’s why every single one of my call-ups gives me joy and pride.

Your life has also been marked by some less than joyous events. At the age of ten, you were diagnosed with a tumour. How did you cope with that difficult period?
It was very painful. After the operation, another complication was discovered. I had to have several injections. It’s an ordeal that is part of who I am because my mother was alongside me and we both cried together. It was really difficult. That chapter in my life made me grow up and the support of my family was crucial.

On a more positive note, how are you coping with your increasing popularity?
When I see all these people asking me for a photo or an autograph, it makes me happy. Not so long ago, I also wanted to get souvenirs of my idols. So I understand and I don’t want to disappoint them, especially when we’re talking about children. And when I hear my name being chanted in the stands, it fires me up to give even more on the pitch.

What are your personal goals with both club and country?
With AC Milan, my target is to win as many trophies as possible in Italy and on the international stage. With Brazil, it’s to be crowned world champion! I also want to become the best player in the world.

Lastly, lots of Brazilian players have their own unique move, such as the ‘elastico’ perfected by Ronaldinho. Are you working on one yourself?
Now that I’m playing with Ronaldinho, it’s easy for me to draw inspiration from him. As for the move, one day perhaps! The thing that characterises me most is probably the dribble at speed. Perhaps that will end up being called a Pato (laughs).

The readers of Goal.com have spoken, and once again it’s too close to call. They provided a list of 11 top youngsters in Serie A, and two – Pato and Giovinco – strode out ahead neck-and-neck!

Yes, Goal.com polling was already closed with the poll results put Alexandre Pato and Sebastian Giovinco tied for top youngster in Serie A (31.68%). But the duel is not over yet for both youngster fans. The champion must be crowned. So we give Extra Time. This is the duel just between Alexandre Pato and Sebastian Giovinco. We will open this poll (see on the right sidebar) for 1 week. The poll will be over at October 3rd 2008. It’s your time to decide!

Indeed, perhaps due to the fact that money flows less readily than before in Italian football, primavera products are maybe more important than ever.

To this end we ask readers to select which of the following players can be considered the best of the new batch in Italy. Perhaps Mario Balotelli, the Inter forward? Or Cristian Zapata, the young Colombian defender who is being tracked by Arsenal as he continues to impress for Udinese? Here’s the list in full:

Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
Cristian Zapata (Udinese)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)
Fabiano Santacroce (Napoli)
Jeremy Menez (Roma)
Marek Hamsik (Napoli)
Mario Balotelli (Inter)
Mauro Zarate (Lazio)
Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus)
Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)

What do you think? Click here to vote and be sure to check back for the results tomorrow.

(Goal)

Pato arrived at Milan from Internacional last year amidst a blaze of publicity, and great things were expected of the teenage striker as he was immediately labelled as the ‘new Ronaldo’.

After an excellent start to his Serie A career, including a double on his debut against Napoli in January, Pato slowly began to lose form towards the end of last season.

He has also been under-par at the beginning of this campaign, and Seedorf believes that these struggles are a direct result of the unbearable pressure that has been heaped upon him by both Milan and the media.

“Now we can see that it was wrong to paint this young man, at just 18-years-old, as the ‘new Ronaldo’,” the notoriously outspoken Seedorf told novantesimo.it.

“He is still young and we all have to stay close to him.

“He has had too much pressure put on him in an unjustified manner by the club and the press.

“I told everyone about this, but no one listened to me.”

It remains to be seen how Milan will react to this latest outburst by Seedorf, who has something of a reputation of causing controversy through the use of his tongue.

(Goal)

Pato made a name for himself with Internacional, winning the Copa Libertadores, and then joined the Rossoneri at the age of 17, but the promising player has been told to improve quickly by his boss this season.

Ancelotti controversially added that Brazilian players learn to be rigorous when they move to Italy.

“Pato is aware of the fact he must work harder,” Ancelotti said. “He was more active on the pitch last season and more decisive. He must bounce back to the same involvement.

“Brazilians have a different work-culture than us. They show less involvement and concentration.

“But when they arrive here they understand Italy’s work’s philosophy and adapt to it. We have had examples, with the likes of Cafu, Dida and Emerson.”

(setantasports)

Pato arrived at Milan from Internacional last year amidst a blaze of publicity, and great things were expected of the teenage striker.

After debuting in January, the Brazilian had an excellent start to Serie A life, but his performances dropped towards the end of the season, and he has been lacklustre in the new campaign so far too.

The Italian press have started to question Pato’s credentials lately, and he has now received a dressing down from Milan director Leonardo.

“He has to run, fight, sweat in training and listen carefully to the advice of Coach and teammates,” said the 1994 World Cup winner, who then added that the player still has the faith of all those around him.

“He has no physical problems, nor psychological ones. He is happy within the squad and working hard. The directors are very close to him, both in terms of his sporting career and his private life.

“Pato is a valuable member of the club and we have absolute faith in him.”

Pato faces fierce competition for a starting place up-front, following the summer arrivals of Ronaldinho, Marco Borriello and Andriy Shevchenko.

(Goal)

The start of the new season certainly hasn’t been the best for Emerson. The midfielder only played the last five minutes of Milan’s home defeat to Bologna, but the “Puma” is still confident about his and the team’s season.

“I haven’t played much, but already being part of the group again is important for me,” he said. “I still have to work a lot to be able to play the full 90 minutes, but it’s important that I’m back now.”

On the defeat to Bologna, he said: “We had many chances but couldn’t score, Bologna had three or four and won the match. Not always does the team that plays better win. Let’s hope to have a bit more luck starting from next game.”

Emerson also talked about the performances of his countrymen Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.

“Dinho is unpredictable, he does things you don’t expect, to play well with him you have to develop an understanding during training.

“Pato is a young kid, we have to be very patient with him, he came to Italy by himself and he needs people who are close to him. He needs time,” he said.

Last season Emerson had his first season with the Rossoneri, but failed to win a starting place also because of a series of injuries.

(Goal)

Today Alexandre Pato turns 19. The Brazilian international, who scored 9 times for the Rossoneri last season, also known as Patinho, is already in the hearts of all Milan fans. Many best wishes for a Happy Birthday!

Updated: September 3, 2008

Here is what PATO said before today’s training session in Milanello to the microphones of Milan Channel.

“Yesterday I turned 19 years old, an important day. I’m very happy because I celebrated here in Italy with Milan and even happier because I play in a great team.

In my life many things have changed, when I arrived here I was just 17 years old. Now I’m 19 and I know that I’m living a great experience. I feel like [ I am ] in a great family. I thank all the fans who have sent me their wishes for my birthday and I tell them that I will continue to try to do my best for Milan and for all the fans.

We’re sorry for the defeat against Bologna, but it was just the first game. There will be others, the league is still very long and I’m convinced that this Milan can do well.

Now let’s think about working in these days, we can prepare ourselves and train well. Against Genoa we must win at all costs.”

The Rossoneri have a second name in Under-19 international star Alberto Paloschi.

The only other Italian in the top 100 is Lazio defender Lorenzo De Silvestri, who could be a star at the Olympic Games this summer.

Napoli ace Marek Hamsik is included, along with Udinese’s highly rated Chilean prospect Alexis Sanchez.

Fiorentina’s Slovenian newcomer Stevan Jovetic is hoping to make a name for himself in Serie A this term and he is already seen as a great talent in Spain.

Belgian Under-21 international Anthony Vanden Borre failed to make an impression at Fiorentina in his first Italian campaign but still makes the list as he prepares to try and impress at Genoa.

Edison Cavani may leave Palermo and indeed Serie A this summer, but the Rosanero hitman also flies the flag for Italy for the moment.

(Channel4)

Here is the full list of the top 100 starlets as found by the spanish magazine.

01) LAUTARO ACOSTA, Delantero (ARGENTINA, Sevilla) 14-03-1988
02) FREDDY ADU, Delantero (GHANA, Benfica) 02-06-89
03) SERGIO ‘KUN’ AGUERO, Delantero (ARGENTINA, Atlético de Madrid) 02-06-1988
04) ISMAIL AISSATI, Mediocampista (HOLANDA, Utrecht) 16-06-1988
05) ALEXIS SANCHEZ, Delantero (CHILE, Udinese) 19-12-1988
06) JOZY ALTIDORE, Delantero (ESTADOS UNIDOS, Villarreal) 06-11-1989
07) ANDERSON, Delantero (BRASIL, Manchester United) 13-04-1988
08) ARDA TURAN, Mediocampista (TURQUIA, Galatasaray, 30-01-1987
09) SERGIO AJENJO, Arquero (ESPAÑA, Valladolid, 28-06-1989
10) GARETH BALE, Defensa (PAIS DE GALES, Tottenham) 16-07-1989
11) MARIO BALOTELLI, Delantero (ITALIA, Palermo) 12-08-1990
12) EVAR BANEGA, Mediocampista (ARGENTINA, Valencia) 29-06-1988)
13) HATEM BEN ARFA, Delantero (FRANCIA, Olympique Marsella) 07-03-1987
14) NIKLAS BENDTNER, Delantero (DINAMARCA, Arsenal) 16-01-1988
15) KARIM BENZEMA, Delantero (FRANCIA, Olympique Lyon) 17-12-1987
16) JEROME BOATENG, Defensa (ALEMANIA, Hamburgo) 03-09-1988
17) BOJAN KRKIC, Delantero (ESPAÑA, Barcelona) 26-08-1990
18) MICHAEL BRADLEY, Mediocampista (ESTADOS UNIDOS, Heerenveen) 31-07-1987
19) BRENO, Defensa (BRASIL, Bayer Münich) 13-10-1989
20) DIEGO BUONANOTTE, Delantero (ARGENTINA, River Plate) 19-04-1988
21) DIEGO CAPEL, Delantero (ESPAÑA, Sevilla) 16-02-1988
22) ANDY CARROLL, Delantero (INGLATERRA, Newcastle) 06-01-1989
23) ANDRE CARVALHAS, Delantero (PORTUGAL, Benfica) 07-03-1989
24) EDISON CAVANI, Delantero (URUGUAY, Palermo) 14-02-1987
25) CESC FABREGAS, Mediocampista (ESPAÑA, Arsenal) 04-05-1987
26) AMIRE CHERMITI, Delantero (TUNEZ, Etoile du Sahel) 26-12-1987
27) MACAULEY CHRISANTUS, Delantero (NIGERIA, Hamburgo) 20-08-1990
28) JONATHAN DE GUZMAN, Mediocampista (CANADA, Feyenoord) 13-09-1987
29) LORENZO DE SILVESTRI, Defensa (ITALIA, Roma) 23-05-1988
30) STEVEN DEFOUR, Mediocampista (BELGICA, Standar de Lieja) 15-04-1988
31) EREN DERDIYOC, Delantero (SUIZA, Basilea) 12-06-1988
32) ANGEL DI MARIA, Mediocampista (ARGENTINA, Benfica) 14-02-1988
33) ROYSON DRENTHE, Mediocampista (HOLANDA, Real Madrid) 08-04-1987
34) KERMIT ERASMUS, Delantero (SUDAFRICA, Feyenoord) 08-07-1990
35) DAMIAN ESCUDERO, Mediocampista (ARGENTINA, Villarreal) 20-04-1987
36) FEDERICO FAZIO, Defensa (ARGENTINA, Sevilla) 17-03-1987
37) GUEIDA FOFANA, Mediocampista (FRANCIA, Fenerbahçe) 16-05-1991
38) GAI ASSULIN, Delantero (ISRAEL, Barcelona) 09-04-1991
39) GIOVANI DOS SANTOS, Delantero (MEXICO, Tottenham) 11-05-1989
40) MAREK HAMSIK, Mediocampista (ESLOVAQUIA, Nápoles) 27-07-1987
41) JOE HART, Arquero (INGLATERRA, Manchester City) 19-04-1987
42) DAWID JANCZYC, Delantero (POLONIA, CSKA Moscú) 23-09-1987
43) JAVI MARTINEZ, Mediocampista (ESPAÑA, Athletic) 02-09-1988
44) MILAN JOVETIC, Delantero (MONTENEGRO, Fiorentina) 02-11-1989
45) JUAN DIAZ, Defensa (URUGUAY, Estudiantes de La Plata) 28-10-1987
46) CHARLES KABORE, Defensa (BURKINA FASO, Olympique Marsella) 09-02-1988
47) YOICHIRO KAKITANI, Mediocampista (JAPON, Cerezo Osaka) 03-01-1990
48) NIKOLA KALINIC, Delantero (CROACIA, Hadjuk Split) 05-01-1988
49) SERGIO CONTAN ‘KEKO’, Delantero (ESPAÑA, Atlético de Madrid) 27-12-1991
50) ALEXANDER KIROV, Delantero (BULGARIA, Levski Sofía) 25-10-1990
51) TONI KROOS, Mediocampista (ALEMANIA, Bayern Münich) 04-10-1990
52) AARON LENNON, Mediocampista (INGLATERRA, Tottenham) 16-04-1987
53) LUCAS LEYVA, Mediocampista (BRASIL, Liverpool) 09-01-1987
54) LUIS SUAREZ, Delantero (URUGUAY, Ajax) 24-01-1987
55) REIMOND MANCO, Delantero (PERU, PSV Eindhoven) 23-08-1990
56) DIRK MARCELLIS, Defensa (HOLANDA, PSV Eindhoven) 13-04-1988
57) MARKO MARIN, Delantero (BOSNIA, Borussia Monchengladbach) 13-03-1989
58) MARTIN CACERES, Defensa (URUGUAY, Barcelona) 17-03-1987
59) JUAN MATA, Delantero (ESPAÑA, Valencia) 28-04-1988
60) ‘MAXI’ MORALEZ, Delantero (ARGENTINA, Racing Club) 27-02-1987
61) LIONEL MESSI, Delantero (ARGENTINA, Barcelona) 24-06-1987
62) MIGUEL VITOR, Defensa (PORTUGAL, Benfica) 30-06-1989)
63) NIKOLAY MIJAILOV, Arquero (BULGARIA, Twente) 28-06-1988
64) MARCELO MORENO, Delantero (BOLIVIA, Shakhtar Donetsk) 18-06-1987
65) CLIFFORD MULENGA, Delantero (ZAMBIA, Maccabi Petah) 05-08-1987
66) SAMIR NASRI, Mediocampista (FRANCIA, Arsenal) 26-06-1987
67) KRISZTIAN NEMETH, Delantero (HUNGRIA, Liverpool) 05-01-1989
68) SOTIROS NINIS, Mediocampista (ALBANIA, Panathinaikos) 03-04-1990
69) AUGUSTINE NSUMBA, Mediocampista (UGANDA, SC Villa) 10-05-1987
70) JOHN OBI MIKEL, Mediocampista (NIGERIA, Chelsea) 22-04-1987
71) DANIEL OPARE, Defensa (GHANA, Real Madrid) 18-10-1990
72) RANSFORD OSEI, Delantero (GHANA, Kessben) 05-12-1990
73) DAVID OSPINA, Arquero (COLOMBIA, Niza) 31-08-1988
74) MEZUT OZIL, Mediocampista (ALEMANIA, Werder Bremen) 15-10-1988
75) ALBERTO PALOSCHI, Delantero (ITALIA, Milan) 04-01-1990
76) GIANNIS PAPADOPOULOS, Mediocampista (GRIEGO, Olympiakos) 09-03-1989
77) ALEXANDRE ‘PATO’, Delantero (BRASIL, Milan) 02-09-1989
78) PABLO PIATTI, Delantero (ARGENTINA, Almería) 31-03-1989
79) GERARD PIQUE, Defensa (ESPAÑA, Barcelona) 02-02-1987
80) SEBASTIAN PRODL, Defensa (AUSTRIA, Werder Bremen) 21-06-1987
81) IVAN RAKITIC, Mediocampista (SUIZA, Schalke O4) 10-03-1988
82) AARON RAMSEY, Mediocampista (PAIS DE GALES, Arsenal) 26-12-1990
83) MICAH RICHARDS, Defensa (INGLATERRA, Manchester City) 24-06-1988
84) DIOGO ROSADO, Mediocampista (PORTUGAL, Sporting Lisboa) 21-02-1990
85) MAMADOU SAKHO, Defensa (FRANCIA, PSG) 13-02-1990
86) LASZLO SEPSI, Defensa (RUMANIA, Benfica) 07-06-1987
87) YOUNG-ROK SHIN, Delantero (COREA DEL SUR, Suwon Samsung) 27-03-1987
88) ALEXANDRE SONG, Mediocampista (CAMERUN, Arsenal) 09-09-1987
89) BOGDAN STANCU, Delantero (RUMANIA, Steaua Bucarest) 28-06-1987
90) MIRALEM SULEJMANI, Delantero (SERBIA, Ajax) 05-12-1988
91) SAMIR NASRI, Mediocampista (FRANCIA, Arsenal) 26-06-1987
92) STEPHEN SUNDAY ‘SUNNY’, Mediocampista (NIGERIA, Valencia) 17-09-1988
93) MARKEL SUSAETA, Mediocampista (ESPAÑA, Athletic de Bilbao) 14-12-1987
94) THIAGO ALCANTARA, Mediocampista (ITALIA, Barcelona) 11-04-1991
95) ATSUTO UCHIDA, Defensa (JAPON, Kashima Antlers) 27-03-1988
96) JONATHAN URRETAVISCAYA, Delantero (URUGUAY, River Plate) 18-03-1990
97) ANTHONY VAN DEN BORRE, Defensa (RD CONGO, Génova) 24-10-1987
98) JAMES VAUGHAN, Delantero (INGLATERRA, Everton) 14-07-1988
99) THEO WALCOTT, Delantero (INGLATERRA, Arsenal) 16-03-1989
100) ALI YAHYA, Delantero (QATAR, Al-Sadd) 20-01-1988