Alexandre Pato: AC Milan's Rising Star

He has played only three matches for his current team—but with his three goals, he is already a star.

Alexandre Pato, the 18-year-old Brazilian, has impressed many people with his football skills. 

Pato has been described as a mix between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo, and was praised by his Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti after yersterday's match against Genoa.

Pato scored two goals and had a explosive performance.
 
Pato himself was delighted with his showing:
 
"I'm very happy about these two goals, especially because they helped us win the game, I feel very happy and emotional about Milan's victory. In the first half I missed a chance and during the break my team mates calmed me down." he said.
 
Pato started playing soccer for Internacional at the age of 11, and made his first debut on November 2006, while only 17 years old, scoring his first Brazilian League goal  against Palmeiras after only three minutes on the pitch.

A month later, at the FIFA World Club Cup, he scored a goal against Al Ahly in the semifinal. This goal made him the youngest scorer in the history of official FIFA competitions.

In January 2007, he was part of the Brazilian U-20 squad that won the South American U-20 Championship. He was Brazil's leading scorer in the tournament with five goals.
 
This past August, the long race to sign Alexandre Pato came to an end when AC Milan finally signed the young Brazilian star. The Rossoneri paid a buyout of 14.5 million euros.

Nicknamed "The Duck", the translation of his surname, Pato already has a glowing reputation among retired and active stars. Even the legendary Pelé described him as "an extraordinary player promising to be the most professional footballer the world has ever seen."

He's recently been selected by Dunga, the Brazilian national team coach, for the upcoming friendly match against Ireland on February 6. This time, all the eyes will be on him, not on Ronaldinho or Kaká.

Now, the question remains: with Ronaldinho, Kaká, and Pato, which team will be able to stop Brazil on their road to the next World Cup?