Pato: Ibrahimovic is the Right Man for Milan, Give Him Time

Alexandre Pato, former AC Milan striker, has expressed his unwavering support for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his new role at the club. In a recent podcast interview, Pato shared his thoughts on the Swedish football legend and his potential impact on the team.

“I met him yesterday, and he hasn’t changed,” Pato stated. “In my opinion, he’s exactly what Milan needs right now. He’s excellent at rallying the team, and although his approach can be aggressive, he’s also incredibly kind-hearted. Zlatan can truly help Milan. The club has a rich history and faces pressure, but he’s done great work both now and in the past. We just need to give him time.”

Pato also revealed a softer side to Ibrahimovic’s character, describing him as fun-loving and smiling. “He’s always been that way. Today, I posted a photo on my Instagram. That’s who he is: funny and smiling. However, in his current role, he needs to be more serious. He’s very polite and has a big heart. He’s really sweet. I understand the position he’s in today and what he needs to do, but deep down, he has a very big heart.”

The Brazilian footballer also recounted a famous training ground incident between Ibrahimovic and Oguchi Onyewu, comparing it to a gladiatorial fight. “Imagine the Colosseum – it was like watching gladiators. It was ugly. Thank goodness we were all there because it could have been chaos. They’re both big and strong, and it was difficult to separate them. Ibra does taekwondo, and Onyewu was enormous. It wasn’t easy to tell who was hitting whom. Thankfully, Rino (Gattuso) and others came to separate them.”

Pato’s insights offer a unique perspective on Ibrahimovic’s character and his potential to positively influence AC Milan in his new role within the club’s management structure.