Published: 09:29, 19 October 2025 | Updated: 09:29, 19 October 2025

For those of a superstitious persuasion, it was hard to ignore the signs. 

March 26, 2008. North London. In a friendly to celebrate the 50-year anniversary since a 17-year-old called Pele netted twice to help Brazil to their maiden World Cup against Sweden, another precocious teenage talent stole the show against the very same opponents. 

To the footballing world, of course, Alexandre Pato wasn't a total unknown. Having already made his name at AC Milan, the then-European Cup holders, the 18-year-old's reputation in his homeland was strong.

But this was the moment he truly announced himself to the world at large. Chasing down Sweden's goalkeeper on the right flank, Pato blocked the attempted clearance, swivelled and lofted the ball gloriously into an empty net.

It was the sort of assured, accomplished finish that defied his young age, but already the comparisons with Brazil's footballing legends of yesteryear were circulating. 

The national team's typically level-headed manager Dunga was unable to stop himself from indulging in the hysteria. 

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