Pato set to explode on the world stage

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Half a century on, the surroundings are different and the prize not nearly so great, but Brazil's latest boy wonder — Alexandre Pato — has the chance to introduce himself on the international stage at the Emirates Stadium.

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Boy wonder: Pato

When the 18-year-old made his debut for AC Milan just two months ago, his impact was so instant that Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti declared: "We don't need Ronaldinho. We've already got Pato."

With the Barcelona star left out of the Brazil squad for this game, he may wonder if he is about to further lose the hero status.

And with World Footballer of the Year Kaka also out of this game with a thigh strain, Pato is expected to play the hero on his international debut.

"The stars are the others in the squad," Pato insisted.

"I have seen that I have many fans, many sites on the Internet, and I am happy with that. It is good to be wanted."

"Pato will soon be elected the best player in the world," enthused Brazil legend Careca, a star of the 1982 World Cup.

The praise is much the same from his teammates at Milan, who paid £17million for the then 17-year-old last summer.

World Player of the Year Kaka said: "He has everything to become a really great player."

The only person showing any kind of perspective is Pele, who urges patience and ventures only to call Pato 'above average'.

The Emirates Stadium has become Brazil's home from home, and this is the fifth time coach Dunga has brought his side to London in 18 months.

In the same period, Brazil have played at home just twice and the financial incentives for becoming the Harlem Globetrotters of international football are so great they have not played a home friendly since a celebration match in 2002 to mark winning their fifth World Cup.

More than half Brazil's squad tonight are under 23 — including Manchester United midfielder Anderson and Liverpool's Lucas — as Dunga looks ahead to the Olympics.

Pato will no doubt be leading the charge in Beijing, but Dunga was coy on whether he would play tonight.

"It will depend," he said. "They are all here to play and he is a quality player and that's the reason why he's in the team. It's an opportunity for him."