WM 2026June 14, 2026
Pato admires 'father figure' Ancelotti: "The best coach in the world"
Alexandre Pato reflects on his time with Carlo Ancelotti and expresses great respect and hopes for Brazil's success in the upcoming World Cup under Ancelotti's leadership.
When Alexandre Pato hears the name Carlo Ancelotti, tears don't yet well up in his eyes. The Brazil coach means a lot to the former striker of AC Milan, among others. Pato hopes __Don Carlo__ can take Brazil to the World Cup and looks back on their collaboration in San Siro.
Pato, 36, worked with Ancelotti between 2007 and 2009. "Talking about Ancelotti always touches me," he told __Sky Sport__. "For me he's not just a coach, he's like a father. He taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: respect."
When Pato moved to AC Milan from Internacional, a Brazilian club, in the summer of 2007, Ancelotti introduced him to the likes of Paolo Maldini, Ronaldo, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Cafu. "I was seventeen years old and there I was, shaking hands with such players. I could see on their faces that they had respect for the coach."
__World Cup Expectations__
For Pato, Ancelotti is the best coach in the world. That creates certain expectations for the World Cup. "He is everything we Brazilians expect. He gives us hope of winning the World Cup. When you as a team have the best coach in the world on the sidelines, it is logical that you expect to be able to win the titles. Even if you know that it is of course not easy."
Brazil begins the World Cup on Sunday night with the game against Morocco, which is scheduled for 00:00. The Brazilian team also plays against Haiti and Scotland in the group. Brazil has won the World Cup five times so far.
Pato, 36, worked with Ancelotti between 2007 and 2009. "Talking about Ancelotti always touches me," he told __Sky Sport__. "For me he's not just a coach, he's like a father. He taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: respect."
When Pato moved to AC Milan from Internacional, a Brazilian club, in the summer of 2007, Ancelotti introduced him to the likes of Paolo Maldini, Ronaldo, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Cafu. "I was seventeen years old and there I was, shaking hands with such players. I could see on their faces that they had respect for the coach."
__World Cup Expectations__
For Pato, Ancelotti is the best coach in the world. That creates certain expectations for the World Cup. "He is everything we Brazilians expect. He gives us hope of winning the World Cup. When you as a team have the best coach in the world on the sidelines, it is logical that you expect to be able to win the titles. Even if you know that it is of course not easy."
Brazil begins the World Cup on Sunday night with the game against Morocco, which is scheduled for 00:00. The Brazilian team also plays against Haiti and Scotland in the group. Brazil has won the World Cup five times so far.
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