01/06/2008
Pato wants Ronaldo return

Milan sensation Alexandre Pato would like to play alongside Ronaldo again next season, despite his problems.

Ronaldo is currently recovering from yet another knee injury, which he suffered while playing for Milan against Livorno in February.

His contract at San Siro expires this summer and there is a chance that calcio lovers have seen the last of the No 99.

The 31-year-old's career is in the balance and a recent scandal involving him and a group of transvestites has not helped either.

“I would like it a lot if we could play together,” Pato told GQ magazine. “We are really good friends.”

The talented striker, who signed for Milan last summer from Brazilian outfit Internacional, is confident Il Fenomeno can overcome his personal problems.

“Ronnie is going through a rough patch at the moment. The media are always hounding him.

“Nevertheless, he has such a great character that I expect he will get over his injury and image problems.

“We talk all the time, but never about football. He always asks me how I am doing. It's crazy, Ronaldo is my idol.”

Pato also gave his impressions of the Italian game after completing his first year with Milan, calling to mind the Rossoneri's match against Lazio in March.

“I remember Cristian Ledesma repeatedly hitting me - massacring me. I was not bothered. Actually, I like playing this way. It has made me grow up.

“In Brazil, you get the ball and are allowed 20 seconds to look up and think about what you are going to do.

“Here, instead, you have three seconds to do something before someone like Ledesma arrives.”

Pato was in expansive mood and spoke of Christianity, which a lot of Brazilian players ardently follow.

The 18-year-old's teammate Kaka is a very public believer and often points to the heavens after scoring a goal.

“I am not as religious as Kaka,” explains Pato. “I am Evangelical, but I do not follow the Bible to the letter.”

Pato scored nine goals in 18 games for Milan this season and is central to their plans for the future.

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01.06.2008 18:20 +0400
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