Menezes hoping for Pato resurgence

Brazil coach Mano Menezes wants Alexandre Pato’s to resolve the injury problems that have hampered the forward in the recent seasons.

Pato, 23, was part of the Brazil team which finished runners-up to Mexico at the London 2012, but has yet to make an official appearance for club side AC Milan this season due to an abductor complaint.

The talented attacker has seen his early career blighted by injuries, but Menezes has stressed the striker still has a big part to play for his national team once he resolves his fitness problems.

“In my Brazil Pato has played very little,” Menezes told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Despite this, however, he is the second-best goal-scorer of the team, which means that his quality is extraordinary. I’m looking forward for his return on the field, but the more important thing is that he heals once and for all.”

Pato was restricted to just 17 appearances for Milan last season due to a string of injuries, and while Menezes maintains the forward is still in his plans, he is baffled by the former Internacional man’s continual problems.

“In my opinion his constant physical problems are not due solely to bad luck,” he said.

“I talked about Pato with my medical staff and they told me that he has no structural abnormality, so he is not a player destined to be injured. Therefore, we need to understand why there are so many accidents.

“Pato can return to be great, but this negative moment must end. I still look at him for my national team.”