Alexandre Pato was once touted as the next big thing in Brazilian football. At one point in his career, the striker was courted by many big European clubs. However, a combination of poor transfers, loss of form, and injuries hampered Pato’s once-promising career.
ASIA CUP 2022: FULL COVERAGE | SCHEDULE | RESULTS
Pato has opened up on his underwhelming career and his roller-coaster ride. In a heartfelt interview with The Player’s Tribune, Pato revealed some interesting anecdotes from his life as a footballer.
Pato revealed that he once had to stay in a sex hotel because he couldn’t afford a proper hotel. This was the night before his trial at the Brazilian club Internacional. “So my big day comes and we’re off to the trial at Internacional. The chance of a lifetime. We drive up from Pato Branco to Porto Alegre, nine hours on the road. We get there and my dad realises that he cannot afford a proper hotel. What does he do? He checks us in at a sex hotel. I was too young to understand. I think our room had a tiny bed, that was it," Pato was quoted as saying.
“I was unstoppable when I was living in the present. But my head got stuck in the future."
What really happened to @Pato? Allow him to tell his truth.https://t.co/tJe2dTK2ST
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) May 31, 2022
Pato also shared that during the initial phase of his career, he got ahead of himself. The Brazilian striker added, “I began dreaming too much. Even though I was still working hard, my imagination was taking me to all kinds of places. In my head, I was already holding the Ballon d’Or. You can’t help it, man. It’s very hard not to get affected. Also, I had suffered like hell to get there. Why should I not enjoy it?"
Pato eventually made it to European football and played for AC Milan. But his stint at the Italian club was short-lived.
Pato is now playing in the MLS with Orlando City. Despite all the setbacks and missed opportunities, the 33-year-old mentioned that he was happy in his life.
“Maybe I didn’t become the best player in the world. But let me tell you something, I have an amazing relationship with my family. I am at peace with myself. I have a wife that I love. The way I see it, I have a lot of Ballon d’Ors", Pato was quoted as saying.
Read all the Latest Sports News and Breaking News here