Pato reveals Ancelotti named his dog after him: ‘He’s a gentleman, the best ever’ | OneFootball

Former Milan striker Alexandre Pato has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti decided to name his dog after him and has explained what makes the current Brazil head coach such a ‘gentleman’.

Pato spoke in-depth about his time with Milan, working under Ancelotti and his life post-retirement in a feature interview with CBS Sports Golazo. 

Pato on Milan memories and special Ancelotti relationship: ‘He’s the best coach ever’

Pato joined Milan as a teenager in 2007, went on to win the Golden Boy award in 2009 and won the Serie A title in 2010-11 while finishing as the club’s joint-top scorer that season.

Joining such a prestigious club at such a young age wasn’t always an easy transition, though, as Pato explained: “When I came to Milan, I went inside the locker room just by myself. I saw the photos and the names around the locker room. I said ‘wow’.

“In front of me I have Kaka, Seedorf, Pirlo is there, Gattuso is here, Maldini. Ronaldo, too. I say ‘wow’. I need to play it cool. It was amazing.”

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 06: (L to R) Kaka, Alexandre Pato, head coach Carlo Ancelotti, Andrea Pirlo, Marek Jankulowski and David Beckham of AC Milan watch the penalty shootout form the bench after the Dubai Football Challenge match between AC Milan and Hamburger SV at The Emirates Sevens Stadium on January 6, 2009 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Pato says that Ancelotti was the one who helped him settle the most in Milan, though. He says that they still enjoy a close relationship and that Ancelotti has even named his dog ‘Pato’.

“He gave me confidence. The name of his dog is Pato, we were that close,” the former Rossoneri striker revealed.

“I feel like Ancelotti is more than just a coach, he’s a friend, he’s a father. When I was at Milan, I was 17 years old. So when I arrived there, he came to the gate of Milanello, he took my hand and said ‘okay, go inside, I want to introduce you to the other players’.

“So he called every single player and said ‘guys, this is Pato’, they said ‘hi Pato, good luck and we are here for you’. That’s why I think Ancelotti is more than a coach, he’s a gentleman.”

Pato has no doubt as to where Ancelotti ranks among the game’s all-time great head coaches: “I think for me, he’s the best coach ever.”