Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (born September 2, 1989, in Pato Branco, Paraná), better known as Alexandre Pato, is a Brazilian striker who has been playing for Internacional since 2002. His nickname, The Duck, comes from the city where he was born, Pato Branco (which translates as White Duck).

Early life
Alexandre started playing indoor football (futsal) in his hometown at the age of 3. Soon his ability became known all around the south Brazilian state of Paraná and after being praised by many of his managers, the teenager went to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, to try out for Sport Club Internacional. In 2002, at the age of 13, he moved there and started sharing housing with 83 other teenagers that, much like him, wanted to make a name for themselves in the Inter first team.

Career
After a contract settlement that boosted the player's salary from R$3,000 to R$25,000 and extended his stay until 2009 with a release fee of $35 million,[1] Pato was finally considered ready to start a game in the Brazilian football league.

On his first team debut, at the age of 17, Pato helped Internacional to a 4-1 win over Palmeiras on November 26, 2006. Pato had 3 assists and scored a goal. His appearance put the spotlight on the young player and created expectations and comparisons with another southern Brazilian superstar, FC Barcelona player Ronaldinho.

Pato scored Internacional's first goal of the FIFA Club World Cup on December 13 in the semi-final game against Al-Ahly Cairo, helping the team win 2-1 and a spot in the final. He was taken off the field during the second half because of cramp in his right leg and his substitute scored the second, and winning goal, of the game.

Before his team's match against Barcelona in the final of the competition, Barça's Brazilian star Ronaldinho identified Pato as a player to watch in Brazilian football.[citation needed] Pato failed to impress during the match and was substituted before teammate Adriano Gabiru scored the winner, ensuring the title for Internacional.

He helped Brazil win the 2007 South American Youth Championship in Paraguay, which qualified the country for both the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. He was Brazil's leading scorer in the tournament with five goals.

Pato has been linked in this press with a move to several high profile clubs including AC Milan, S.L. Benfica[2], Juventus, Inter,[3] Liverpool,[4] Chelsea[5] and Arsenal.[6]

On June 25, 2007, Pato's agent Gilmar Veloz confirmed in English newspaper News of the World that Pato's move to Chelsea was imminent, saying that a euro26.7m deal with Internacional was almost done.[7] Veloz later withdrew his comments, saying that AC Milan, Internazionale and Real Madrid were still in the race for Pato's signature, though he hinted that AC Milan were leading the chase.[8]

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