*update*: the 18 years old manage to score on his debut (Milan 5-2 Napoli)
other Milan scorers: Ronaldo, Kaka, Seedorf
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The Duck is set to make his Serie A debut in Milan vs Napoli today. Duck who?
other Milan scorers: Ronaldo, Kaka, Seedorf
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The Duck is set to make his Serie A debut in Milan vs Napoli today. Duck who?
Having
scored and laid on two goals on his Internacional debut against
Palmeiras in November 2006, 17 years old Alexandre 'The Duck' Pato was selected for their Fifa World Club
Cup bid.
Internacional went on to defeat Barcelona in the final and an international manhunt was launched by Europe's top sides. Milan AC succeeded in landing Pato, signing him on a £10m buy-out clause from Internacional in August 2007. Hype? Gamble?
biography (from footballdatabase.com)
Born September 2 in Pato Branco, Parana.
2001
At
the age of 11, moved to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul and started
sharing housing with 83 other teenagers that, much like him, wanted to
make a name for themselves in the SC Internacional first team.
2006
November
26: Scored on his first team debut after 94 seconds with his first
touch of the ball, set up two more - including one with a disconcerting
dribble - and headed against the post in a hectic 57 minutes before
being substituted with Internacional 4-0 ahead of Palmeiras.
December
13: Produced a dazzling display as
Internacional beat Al Ahly 2-1 to reach the Club World Cup final. Pato
scored once and had a goal disallowed before being taken off injured in
the second half.
December 17: Played 61 minutes in the final as Internacional overcame Barcelona to win the FIFA World Club Cup Japan 2006
2007
January:
Part of the Brazil side that won the South American Under-20
Championship. He was Brazil's leading scorer in the tournament with
five goals.
July: Represented Brazil in the FIFA U-20 World Cup at
Canada. He was part of the team that reached the round of 16 but was
defeated by Spain 4-2 after extra time. Scored 3 goals in 4 games.
August 2: The long drawn
race to sign Alexandre Pato come to an end with AC Milan signing him. The Rossoneri paid his buy-out
clause of 14.5 million euros, and have handed him a five year contract
worth 2 million euros per season. However, Pato cannot feature in
official games for the Rossoneri until January. Revealed the club: "The
great talent Alexandre Pato will train with Milan and will be able to
play the friendly matches starting from the 3rd of September 2007. From
the 3rd of January 2008 onwards, he will also be able to play in the
official games."
September 6: Scored one goal on his AC Milan debut,
a 2-2 friendly draw organised to celebrate the 80th anniversary of
Dinamo Kiev (clip here)
The midfield-forward lineup to salvage Milan pathetic domestic season:
