With two rounds yet to play in the Brasileirao, Sao Paulo were already Champions. The Paulista team would play Cruzeiro, and after the game would raise the Cup.
About 15 kilometers from Morumbi Stadium, Palmeiras would host the runner-up Internacional. What should have been just an ordinary game between two clubs without any intention in the tournament, turned out to be a special day.
In its 11 starting players, Internacional had a new name with jersey number eleven. Alexandre Pato (Duck) was about to premiere at a professional level. The 17 year old boy from the city Pato Branco (White Duck) has been treated like a pearl in Beira-Rio since he was the MVP for National competition under-17s.
Since then, Fernando Carvalho, president of Internacional, worked hard to offer him a good contract and keep his wonder boy away from the big European clubs. The ‘Duck Operation’ involved many people. When the boy was in training sessions with the main squad, the media was not allowed to watch. Even when he could play for the first team, the president did not let Alexandre Pato do it until everything was set.
So, we come back to that afternoon in Palmeiras Stadium. Two days after he signed a deal with Internacional until 2009, the Duck was ready to finally show his skills. After the kick-off, Pato took only one minute to introduce himself to football when he actually scored with his first touch on the ball.
45 minutes later, everybody knew a great player had been born. Internacional led the game 4-0 after the break, and Alexandre was the player of the match, with two assists, one goal and also a header against the bar.
Along with Giovanni dos Santos, Alexandre Pato is probably the most promising young player of the FIFA\ Club World Cup. Let’s see if this Duck can fly higher.

3 Comments · Add yours
I agree. Even so, a star must be created only after a game series, but never in just one game. Let's wait and observe. Have a nice time in Japan. []´s Carlos
Duck Alexandre will be the promise of the Internacional Team from Brazil, with the help from Fernandao, the uncle and from Pedro Iarley, the father of the little duck. Staying for the results and see the score: three goals for everyone them, you will see... Go Inter, Go Inter, we love you and never will be love it! Joseph Elias Nery, InterColorado!