Former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has shared an endearing detail about his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, revealing that the renowned coach even named his dog after him. Pato also lauded Ancelotti, currently the head coach of Brazil, as an absolute “gentleman.”
In a recent interview, Pato extensively discussed his tenure at Milan, his experiences under Ancelotti’s guidance, and his life following retirement from professional football.
Pato’s Fond Milan Memories and Special Bond with Ancelotti
Pato arrived at Milan as a teenager in 2007, quickly making his mark. He earned the Golden Boy award in 2009 and played a key role in the club’s Serie A title win in the 2010-11 season, where he was also the team’s joint-top scorer.
Joining such a storied club at a young age presented its own challenges, as Pato recalled: “When I first entered the Milan locker room alone, seeing the photos and names everywhere, I was completely awestruck. Kaka, Seedorf, Pirlo, Gattuso, Maldini, Ronaldo – it was incredible. I had to play it cool.”
Pato credits Ancelotti for being instrumental in helping him adjust to life at Milan. Their bond remains strong to this day, evidenced by Ancelotti’s decision to name his dog ‘Pato’.
“He instilled confidence in me. The fact his dog is named Pato shows how close we were,” the former Rossoneri striker disclosed.
Pato views Ancelotti as much more than just a coach, describing him as “a friend, a father.” He recounted Ancelotti’s warm welcome when he first arrived at Milan at age 17: “He met me at the Milanello gate, took my hand, and said, ‘Okay, come inside, I want to introduce you to the other players.’ He personally introduced me to every player, saying ‘guys, this is Pato,’ and they all offered greetings and support. That’s why I consider Ancelotti to be more than a coach; he’s a true gentleman.”
For Pato, Ancelotti’s standing among football’s greatest coaches is unequivocal: “I genuinely believe he is the best coach ever.”
