Alexandre Pato reveals Brazilian striker Ronaldo showed him a Playboy magazine when he was 17… and asked him to join his gang
Striker told to choose between World Cup-winning party animal or Jesus-loving playmaker when arriving at AC Milan
ALEXANDRE PATO has revealed that Brazilian striker Ronaldo showed him a Playboy magazine – and asked him to join his gang.
The Villarreal striker recounted the incredible tale in an interview on Italian TV channel Fox Sports Italia.
Pato left Brazilian side Internacional as a 17-year-old in 2007 to join AC Milan’s illustrious line-up.
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And the former Chelsea, now 27, described the bizarre way the legendary two-time World Cup winner introduced himself.
Pato said: “When I arrived in Milan I found myself surrounded by many fantastic footballers.
“In the changing room I was sat between Ronaldo and [Paolo] Maldini, and opposite Kaka.
“One of the first things I remember is when Ronaldo showed me a Playboy magazine.
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“He asked me if I wanted to be in his group or if I would prefer to go with Kaka - and made religious symbols at me.”
Playmaker Kaka famously states that he owes his career to his religion and revealed a T-shirt with the slogan ‘I belong to Jesus’ after winning the 2002 World Cup and 2004 Scudetto.
While playboy Ronaldo is widely believed to have never fulfilled his full potential thanks, in part, to his party lifestyle.
Pato does not reveal which star he sided with in the Milan changing room.
But threats of prison, a doomed relationship with the daughter of Milan chairman Silvio Berlusconi, and too many wild parties with team-mate Ronaldinho later saw his career slide off track.
He spent five seasons at the San Siro and won one Serie A title, in 2011.