Milan starlet Alexandre Pato was moved to tears after finding the net on his Brazil debut on Wednesday evening.
The 18-year-old took just 12 minutes to hit the target against Sweden at the Emirates Stadium and has been reaping the plaudits since.
“I called my parents straight after the game and I was crying with the emotion,” the former Internacional man revealed on Milan’s website.
“There’s nothing you can say. I was so emotional and I wanted to thank my parents, as they deserve the credit for everything that I am achieving because of the education they gave me, and the fact that they were always close to me.
“There’s a great feeling of joy at having made my Brazil debut. I would have had this chance before but I was denied by an injury.”
Pato has been widely compared to Selecao legend Pelè in his homeland’s Press, as the great man was the last player to score on his Brazil debut.
“Without a doubt the comparisons make me happy,” Pato admitted. “He is an idol to me, and a phenomenon.”
The precocious hitman returned to Milanello yesterday and received a hero’s welcome from his teammates.
“Now it’s time to think about Milan again and the objective is obviously to finish in fourth and get into the Champions League,” Pato explained.
“It’s crucial to beat Atalanta and claw back Fiorentina.”
Carlo Ancelotti may opt for a young partnership of Alberto Paloschi and Pato, as Kaka and Pippo Inzaghi are out and Alberto Gilardino has ‘flu’.
