Alexandre Pato facts for kids
Pato playing for AC Milan in 2010
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 2 September 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pato Branco, Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2006 | Internacional | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Internacional | 18 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2013 | AC Milan | 117 | (51) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2016 | Corinthians | 49 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | → São Paulo (loan) | 76 | (27) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | → Chelsea (loan) | 2 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Villarreal | 14 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2019 | Tianjin Tianhai | 47 | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | São Paulo | 31 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Orlando City | 26 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | São Paulo | 9 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 389 | (145) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Brazil U20 | 12 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2012 | Brazil U23 | 9 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2013 | Brazil | 27 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (born 2 September 1989), known as Alexandre Pato or just Pato, is a Brazilian former professional footballer. He played as a striker.
Pato started his football journey at Internacional in 2000. He made his first team debut in 2006 when he was just 16. He quickly became a star, helping his team win the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup. In 2007, he moved to the famous Italian club AC Milan. There, he won awards like the Golden Boy Award and the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year. He also helped Milan win the Serie A title.
After his time in Italy, Pato returned to Brazil. He played for Corinthians and São Paulo. He also had loan spells with English club Chelsea and Spanish club Villarreal. Later, he played in China for Tianjin Tianhai and in the USA for Orlando City.
Pato also played for the Brazilian national team. He helped them win the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He also earned two Olympic medals: a bronze in 2008 and a silver in 2012. Pato announced his retirement from professional football on 1 January 2025.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Internacional
Pato began his football career in the youth teams of Internacional. He quickly showed off his amazing skills and strength. At 16, he was already playing in the Brazilian under-20 championship. His team, Inter, won the final against Grêmio 4–0, and Pato was the top scorer of the tournament.
In November 2006, at 17, Pato made his first professional debut. It was against Palmeiras in the Brazilian Championship. He scored his first goal in the very first minute of the game! He also helped his team score two more goals, leading Internacional to a 4–1 victory.
Pato was part of the Internacional team that won the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup. He scored a goal in the semi-finals against Al Ahly. At 17 years and 102 days old, Pato became the youngest goalscorer in a senior men's FIFA tournament. He broke the record set by the legendary Pelé.
Pato continued to shine in 2007. He scored in his debut for the Campeonato Gaúcho and the Copa Libertadores. His biggest achievement with Internacional was helping them win their first ever Recopa Sudamericana title. He scored a crucial goal in the final match against Pachuca of Mexico.
Time with AC Milan
Early Success in Italy
In August 2007, AC Milan, a top Italian club, signed Pato for about €24 million. Because of football rules for young players from outside Europe, Pato could not play official matches until January 2008. However, he could play in friendly games.
Pato scored his first goal for Milan in his very first Serie A game on 13 January 2008. It was a 5–2 win against Napoli. He quickly showed his talent, scoring two goals in a 2–0 win against Genoa. He finished his first season with 9 goals in 20 games.
In the 2008–09 season, Pato continued to impress. He scored two goals in a 5–1 win against Udinese. He also scored twice against Roma, showing he was a key player for Milan. He ended the season as Milan's top scorer with 18 goals.
In October 2009, Pato scored two goals against Real Madrid in a UEFA Champions League match, helping Milan win 3–2. In January 2010, he won the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year award. This made him the first Brazilian to receive this honor.
Facing Injuries
The 2010–11 season started well for Pato, as he scored two goals in Milan's first match. However, he began to face many injuries, especially to his hamstring. These injuries kept him off the field for long periods.
Despite the injuries, Pato still made important contributions. He scored two goals in a thrilling 4–4 draw against Udinese. He also scored twice in a crucial 2–1 win against rivals Internazionale. He helped Milan win the Serie A title that season.
In September 2011, Pato scored one of the fastest goals in Champions League history, just 24 seconds into a match against Barcelona. More injuries followed, limiting his playing time. In January 2012, Pato decided to stay with Milan, even though he had an offer to move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Before the 2012–13 season, Pato took over the number 9 jersey. However, he suffered another thigh injury early on. He scored his last goal for Milan in the Champions League against Anderlecht in November 2012.
Return to Brazil with Corinthians
On 3 January 2013, Pato moved back to Brazil and signed with Corinthians. He made a great start, scoring a goal on his very first touch in his debut match against Oeste. He also scored in the Copa Libertadores against Millonarios.
Pato helped Corinthians win the Campeonato Paulista title. This was another important trophy for his career.
Loan Spells and Moves
Loan to São Paulo
In February 2014, Pato joined São Paulo on a two-year loan deal. He quickly settled in and scored his first goal for the club in April 2014. During his time at São Paulo, he played 95 games and scored 38 goals.
Loan to Chelsea
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In January 2016, Pato moved to English Premier League club Chelsea on a loan deal. He made his debut in April, coming on as a substitute against Aston Villa. He won a penalty and scored it, helping Chelsea to a 4–0 win. He became the sixth Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut. After this short loan, he returned to Corinthians.
Villarreal and China
In July 2016, Pato transferred to Spanish club Villarreal. He scored in his first game for the club in a Champions League play-off match. He also scored and assisted a goal in a UEFA Europa League group match.
In January 2017, Pato moved to Chinese club Tianjin Tianhai. He played for two seasons there, scoring 30 goals in 47 games.
Second Return to São Paulo
In March 2019, Pato returned to São Paulo for a second time. The club welcomed him back with the phrase: "Here, the heart beats stronger." He played for São Paulo until August 2020.
Time in the USA with Orlando City
In February 2021, Pato signed with MLS side Orlando City in the United States. He made his debut in April but suffered an injury that kept him out for a long time. He re-signed with Orlando for the 2022 season and helped them win the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.
Third Return to São Paulo and Retirement
In May 2023, Pato rejoined São Paulo for a third time. He played until December 2023. On 1 January 2025, Alexandre Pato announced his retirement from professional football.
International Career
Pato played for Brazil's youth teams, helping the Brazil U20 team win the 2007 South American Youth Championship. He was also chosen for the 2008 Summer Olympics team.
He scored his first goal for the senior Brazilian team on his debut against Sweden in March 2008. He scored within seconds of coming on, beating Pelé's record for the fastest debut goal.
Pato was part of the Brazil squad that won the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He also played in the 2011 Copa América, scoring two goals against Ecuador.
Pato won two Olympic medals with the Brazil Olympic Football team. He earned a bronze medal in 2008 and a silver medal in 2012 at the London 2012 Olympics. He scored an important goal against Belarus in the 2012 Olympics.
Playing Style
Pato was known for being a quick, agile, and creative forward. He had excellent technical skills and a great eye for scoring goals. When he was young, many people thought he would become one of the best players in the world. His former coaches compared his abilities to famous Brazilian players like Kaká and Ronaldo.
He could play anywhere in the attack, as a main striker, a supporting forward, or on the wings. Even though he was right-footed, he could shoot powerfully with both feet. He was also good at dribbling past defenders and creating chances for his teammates. Despite not being very tall, he was also effective at heading the ball.
Pato's goal celebration often involved him making a 'heart' gesture with his hands.
Personal Life
Pato shared a story about his childhood. When he was 11, he broke his arm. Doctors found a tumor in his arm and were worried they might need to remove it. Luckily, the surgery to take out the tumor was successful.
Pato has been married to Rebeca Abravanel, a television presenter, since 2019. He has spoken about how becoming a Christian changed his life. He said that after going to church, he found answers in the Bible that he was looking for.
In November 2024, Pato began a new career as a sports commentator on SBT, a Brazilian television network.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances
| Team | Season | League | State League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Internacional | 2006 | Série A | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2007 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 10 | ||
| Total | 10 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 12 | ||
| AC Milan | 2007–08 | Serie A | 18 | 9 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 20 | 9 | ||
| 2008–09 | 36 | 15 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | — | 42 | 18 | ||||
| 2009–10 | 23 | 12 | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — | 30 | 14 | ||||
| 2010–11 | 25 | 14 | — | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | 33 | 16 | ||||
| 2011–12 | 11 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 4 | |||
| 2012–13 | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | 7 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 117 | 51 | — | 4 | 3 | 28 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 150 | 63 | |||
| Corinthians | 2013 | Série A | 30 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 57 | 17 |
| 2014 | — | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 30 | 9 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 62 | 17 | ||
| São Paulo (loan) | 2014 | Série A | 29 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | 39 | 12 | |
| 2015 | 33 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | — | 59 | 26 | |||
| Total | 62 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 4 | — | 98 | 38 | |||
| Chelsea (loan) | 2015–16 | Premier League | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | ||
| Villarreal | 2016–17 | La Liga | 14 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | — | 24 | 6 | ||
| Tianjin Quanjian | 2017 | CSL | 24 | 15 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 26 | 17 | |||
| 2018 | 23 | 15 | — | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | — | 34 | 19 | ||||
| Total | 47 | 30 | — | 2 | 2 | 11 | 4 | — | 60 | 36 | ||||
| São Paulo | 2019 | Série A | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 5 | ||
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 13 | 4 | |||
| Total | 20 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 35 | 9 | |||
| Orlando City | 2021 | MLS | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2022 | 22 | 3 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 27 | 4 | |||||
| Total | 26 | 3 | — | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 32 | 4 | ||||
| São Paulo | 2023 | Série A | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 10 | 2 | |
| Career total | 337 | 128 | 52 | 17 | 32 | 15 | 72 | 25 | 7 | 3 | 500 | 188 | ||
International Appearances
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2008 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2011 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total | 27 | 10 | |
- Brazil score listed first, score column indicates score after each Pato goal.
| No. | Date | Cap | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 March 2008 | 1 | Emirates Stadium, London, England |  Sweden |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 10 August 2010 | 9 | New Meadowlands Stadium, New Jersey, United States |  United States |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 7 October 2010 | 10 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |  Iran |
2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 4 | 11 October 2010 | 11 | Pride Park, Derby, England |  Ukraine |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly | |
| 5 | 13 July 2011 | 15 | Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba, Argentina |  Ecuador |
1–0 | 4–2 | 2011 Copa América | |
| 6 | 3–2 | |||||||
| 7 | 30 May 2012 | 19 | FedExField, Maryland, United States | United States |
4–1 | 4–1 | Friendly | |
| 8 | 15 August 2012 | 22 | Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden | Sweden |
2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 9 | 3–0 | |||||||
| 10 | 7 September 2013 | 25 | Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil | .svg){kind=small} Australia |
5–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
Honours and Awards
Pato won many titles and awards throughout his career:
Internacional
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2006
- Recopa Sudamericana: 2007
AC Milan
- Serie A: 2010–11
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2011
Corinthians
- Campeonato Paulista: 2013
- Recopa Sudamericana: 2013
Orlando City
- U.S. Open Cup: 2022
São Paulo
- Copa do Brasil: 2023
Brazil U20
- South American Youth Football Championship: 2007
Brazil U23
Brazil
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009
Individual Awards
- 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
- Golden Boy Award: 2009
- Serie A Young Footballer of the Year: 2009
- AC Milan Hall of Fame
See also
In Spanish: Alexandre Pato para niños
