Pato recalls choosing Milan, memories at Milanello, team-mates and injury problems | OneFootball

Alexandre Pato recently returned to Milanello, and he recalled his experiences during his five-year spell with AC Milan.

Pato joined the Rossoneri back in August 2007 and after a slow start he exploded in 2008-09, scoring 18 goals in 42 matches in all competitions in what can be considered a breakout season following his arrival from Brazil.

It was during that campaign he became known as one of the biggest talents in European football, entertaining because of his direct style and his electrifying intent to create danger with speed and dribbling.

He got the Golden Boy and Serie A Young Footballer of the Year awards off the back of that season, and then in 2010-11 he scored 14 goals in 25 games to help Milan win the Scudetto. Unfortunately he could never stay injury-free, something that stuck with him after leaving.

Pato was back at the training ground in December and as part of his visit he conducted an interview with Milan TV all about his time with the club. MilanPress relayed his comments.

What emotions do you feel coming back here?

“I tell you that when I arrived I told my dad that I couldn’t cry because I have to be strong, but I can’t say that I’m not excited because I came here very early, I was 17, and then I came back to Brazil.

“The 5 years I stayed here are among the best moments of football and of my life because spending time in this small space, which is actually very big, was beautiful.”

What do you remember from your first day?

“I remember so many things. Ancelotti took me by the hand and led me to where the players who had won everything were. He told them to stand up to say hello and they all stood up and shook my hand, which showed respect and I will never forget it for the rest of my life.

“I am very excited about this return, to see everything I have been through here. I can tell my son everything, I can’t wait to bring him here. You can never erase the best memories in life, you can relive them.”

How important was timing in your career?

“I can say that time is the main thing in life, you can’t go back or go to the future, you can only live now. Coming here brings back some of the best things I’ve done in football. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done thanks to my parents.

“I had a fast start: after 6 months at Internacional I came here. Coming here was my most important choice: Milan made me win, it made me see the world differently and it made me become who I am.”

Why did you choose Milan?

“I watched Milan winning the Champions League and having the best players in the world. It was a beautiful team, I just wanted to play with them, I wasn’t thinking about moving to Italy or anything else.

“As soon as I heard about the interest I said I wanted Milan, for me it was the best decision I’ve made in my life.”

You didn’t play too much in your first few months…

“I thought the match would come, but I was always excited every day because I was training. The only thing that really saddens me is that I didn’t go to Japan for the Club World Cup. For me every friendly was like a real match, for me that period was beautiful.”

Tell us that anecdote involved Kakha Kaladze…;

“He helped me a lot: what I went through in training was what I had to go through on the pitch, when he ‘beaten’ me in training he also changed my vision of defenders. The Brazilians then helped me and told me that I had to be stronger, Kaladze’s slides taught me what I should expect from matches.

“For defenders there was no difference between training and matches, the one who hit me the most was Gattuso. One day I played a prank on him and he grabbed me and stood me up insulting me (laughs).”

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There were a lot of Brazilians in the squad…

“The first year was beautiful because they helped me, but for the Italians it wasn’t nice. Cafu was almost like a father to me, all the other Brazilians helped me, they will always remain in my heart.”

Do you remember your debut?

“A special match, I was playing with Ronaldo. I remember he shot at goal and I wanted to concede a goal but I couldn’t. Then I remember Favalli giving me a long pass, I ran and got past a defender, I looked at the goalkeeper and thought about keeping it low and I kicked and scored, then I heard the roar of San Siro and that was unforgettable for me.”

What was the secret to your success?

“I played like I was a child. I wasn’t good at tactical things, I had to do them but I liked being close to the ball, dribbling and going to score. Ancelotti told me that I had to do the passes accurately after the dribbles.

“When I played football it was different, I loved being there, the time I played football for me was always a pleasure.”

Are you proud of the record of being the youngest player to reach 50 goals with Milan?

“Today I see it differently than I saw him before. I didn’t think much about the numbers, I know I could have done more but also less. What I did I did, I’m happy with every goal I scored at Milan, every goal gave the same emotion.

“Playing at Milan was different, scoring at San Siro, away or in training was beautiful. It’s a love that I can’t explain like the one for my son.”

That 3-0 derby win, with your goal after 40 seconds…

“I remember the play in which I scored, then the stadium came down. Regarding the photos in which I screamed, it’s not easy because the derby puts too much pressure, but scoring against Inter in such an important derby after less than 40 seconds was beautiful, I’ll be able to talk about it for the rest of my life.”

What is the most beautiful image of the Scudetto?

“The most beautiful image is after the match in Rome where we won the scudetto. I remember when we returned to Milan we went to the Duomo and there were so many people, we were on the bus.

“It was beautiful there, that is an image that I will never forget because I managed to play for Milan and win a scudetto.

“Unfortunately I didn’t win the Champions League, but for me winning the scudetto, going to the Duomo and being in the history of Milan I will never forget it.”

You also scored after 24 seconds against Barcelona…

“Everywhere I go they remind me of this goal, which was one of the most beautiful I scored for Milan. When Abbiati made the clearance the ball fell to Nocerino’s feet who passed it to me, I saw a hole and sent the ball there, then when I ran I saw that I had passed them and found myself alone in front of the goalkeeper.

“At that point I tried to shoot around Valdes, I didn’t shoot as I wanted but the ball went under his legs, it was even more beautiful that way. Scoring a goal in the Champions League against Milan was unforgettable.”

You have battled many injuries…

“Unfortunately in that period we didn’t do what we do today. I was young, maybe I didn’t respect the times. It went like that, I don’t regret it, it was a lesson for me.

“Today all the kids are already prepared because there is already a staff behind them, but I tell them to keep an eye on everything, to respect the times, to trust those who are there to heal you. What happened happened, it was a beautiful experience for me, even in the bad periods of injuries.

“I’m not saying it’s sad to think back on it, it was a lesson in life. Milan gave me the chance to score and to grow a lot as a man, those moments only made me grow.”

The Milan fans remain very fond of you…

“I really like coming back here because with you Italians it’s different. You love the players for who they are, not just for what they do. I don’t know how to explain the love I have for the Milan fans, even now they ask me for a photo and they talk to me when they see me.

“Maybe I could have won everything but not had this warmth from the fans, I really love all the Milan fans because they change my life, they are in my heart.”

Did you put all your heart into Milan, like your celebration?

“Today I see many people around who celebrate with their hearts, but I was the first. When I did it, it wasn’t just for one person but for everyone I loved, I’ve always had a lot of love and respect for Milan, I still do now.

“I understand the Milan fans, it’s a team with many titles. The players have to understand where they play, what it’s like to play for Milan because all those who have passed through and made history here have put so much love into it. I’m sure that Milan will still be at the top.”