Pato bears weight of expectation

Sheva reminder
He has scored another five in ten Serie A matches since, the pick of the bunch coming at Calcio Catania on 27 February. Orange boots flashing, he cut inside to create space then fired a low shot from 25 metres into the far corner. For Milan supporters, the strike was reminiscent of Andriy Shevchenko in his pomp. The two forwards may have different strengths and styles, but Pato has inherited the Ukrainian's No7 shirt and Milan hope he can emulate the success Shevchenko enjoyed at San Siro.

Great expectations
Milan signed the precocious Brazilian last summer from SC Internacional but were unable to field him until January because of Italian regulations concerning non-EU minors. Even when he wasn't playing, though, expectations were sky high. "If Pato continues to do what he does in training, he will get 30 goals by June," proclaimed Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, citing the words of coach Carlo Ancelotti. Some youngsters might have crumbled under such pressure. For Pato, it served as motivation. "I was happy to listen to people saying I was a great player," he told uefa.com. "I thank them for looking after me, on and off the pitch, and for being my friends. It makes you want to do your best for them."

Maturity
Pato's maturity, as much as his goals, has impressed Ancelotti. "I left home when I was eleven to play for Internacional, which was quite young. Then, when I was 17, I left Brazil to come to Italy. I was really happy to join a great club like Milan who have welcomed me with open arms. My heart told me: 'Do your best because they are your friends and want to help you.'" With such a big Brazilian presence at Milan, Pato quickly felt at home. "There are eight Brazilian players including me and they have supported me from the start. They still do."

Kaká praise
Ballon d'Or winner Kaká is one of them. "Pato is doing brilliantly for a young man of 18 who is just beginning his career at a big European club," Kaká told uefa.com. "He has a massive future. I haven't given him any particular advice, I have just said he should follow what he has in his own mind. So many people tell you so many things, but you've got to follow your instincts, do things your way. I think you can learn a lot from what people tell you, but you learn even more from your own experience."

'Support'
For Pato, the warm welcome he received from the likes of Kaká and the other Milan stalwarts came as a surprise. "These are the players I played with on Playstation and watched on television," he said. "They all surprised me when I arrived as they were all humble and friendly, giving me the support I needed. Now I want to do my best and help the team more and more."

Arsenal disappointment
He certainly started as he meant to go on against Napoli. "I was delighted as I managed to do my best and score," he said. "I was also pleased to play with so many stars and my idol Ronaldo." Pato's first taste of the UEFA Champions League was less sweet, with Milan being eliminated in the first knockout round by Arsenal FC. The Rossoneri are fifth in Serie A and in danger of failing to qualify for European football's élite club competition next term, but Pato is desperate to get back there. "Playing in the UEFA Champions League was always a dream of mine. My friends used to play the official UEFA anthem to me, to give me an idea of how it would feel to be there. My objective now is to work hard and win trophies for Milan. I want to become a great player in Italy and to be recognised all over the world." That is surely only a matter of time.