Pato says joining Milan was the correct decision, despite interest from Internazionale and other clubs when he was beginning his career in Italy.
The Brazilian forward discussed his move to Milan in an interview with the Lega Serie A channel, recalling how the club offered him the chance to play alongside leading Italian and Brazilian players and compete for major honours.
Pato spent six years with Milan between 2007 and 2013. During that period, he helped the club win the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season and the Coppa Italia in 2011.
He also remembered the excitement and nervousness of arriving in Italy as a very young player.
“I was very young then. I was living in Porto Alegre, coming from a very small beach town,” he said.
“I remember going to Forte dei Marmi, and a Ferrari drove past me; I had never seen a Ferrari before. Later I went to meet Galliani, and he took me to meet coach Ancelotti.
“When Ancelotti introduced me in front of everyone, I was very young and very shy. Everyone stood up to shake my hand and hug me, which was very beautiful for me.”
Pato played alongside several prominent Brazilian footballers during his time at Milan, including Kaka, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
“I always paid close attention to Kaka, but he played a different position than me,” Pato said.
“For me, Ronaldo was always an idol; I even had the same haircut as him! Later at Milan, I also met the greatest and strongest player in my view, Ronaldinho.”
Pato confirmed that Internazionale had been among the clubs interested in signing him before he chose Milan.
“Was Internazionale interested? Yes, they were. Other teams were also interested in me,” he said.
“For me, choosing Milan was the best decision because I joined a team capable of winning, and I won trophies with Milan. I also played alongside many Italian and Brazilian stars.”
His six-year spell at Milan included both domestic success and the opportunity to work with coach Carlo Ancelotti during the early stages of his career in Italy.