He was called ‘the new Ronaldo Nazario’ and this is how his career failed

How many stars have been labeled as ‘the new’ Ronaldo Nazario, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Diego Maradona? Lots of. But this one was as promising as many few managed to be. By 17 years old he was already a key part of his team and was set to have a stellar future ahead of him with the yellow and green shirt of Brazil’s national squad.

He emerged as an extraordinary star, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA World Club Cup in 2006, beating FC Barcelona in an incredible performance from his team. They arrived as the ‘underdogs’ and shocked the whole soccer world with that 1-0 win over Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Andrés Iniesta and some other stars. He had previously scored in the semifinal against Egypt giants Al Ahly. He was just 17 years old and playing for Internacional SC.

After his success in 2006, he was bought by AC Milan, and returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians in 2013, later moving to Sao Paulo and having a loan spell in Chelsea. After a failed experience in Spain playing for Villarreal, he moved to China and then back to Sao Paulo. Nowadays he has become a free agent.

As reported by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield is also interested, and in case Alexandre Pato does not close a deal in MLS or Europe, he would not rule out moving back to South America and try to start from scratch. The publication states that Mauricio Pellegrino, former Valencia and Liverpool defender, and current Vélez Sarsfield’s coach, will try to convince him.

Born Alexandre Rodrigues Da Silva, he was nicknamed Alexandre Pato because of being born in a town named Pato Branco (Portuguese for ‘White Duck’). He played the 2008 and 2012 Olympics for Brazil, the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2011 Copa America.