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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato has hailed the time he spent in China and said he remains a fan of football in the country.
The former Brazil international spent two seasons with Tianjin Quanjian from 2017 to 2019 during the Chinese Super League boom.
Pato is known mostly for his time with Milan, but he also played for Premier League giants Chelsea and Spanish side Villarreal, as well as having spells in Brazil and the United States.
Yet he remembers his time in China with fondness.
“I spent two wonderful years in China,” he told the Post. “It was one of the most important experiences of my life.”

Pato is in the city as a Milan ambassador for the Football Festival, and watched his former side beat Liverpool 4-2 in the Standard Chartered Trophy at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday.
The Rossoneri held an open training session at Hong Kong Stadium on Friday that had to be delayed because of a thunderstorm – and while that may have been disappointing to some, for the 35-year-old it brought back happy memories.
“I love coming back to Hong Kong, to meet the fans and the stadium where the players trained – I played there against Kitchee, when Diego Forlan was there.
“I love coming back. I have a great affinity for China; it’s a really special place.”
Pato was part of the side that won 1-0 in an AFC Champions League group match in April 2018.
Meanwhile, China have once again failed to qualify for a World Cup, after defeat to Indonesia in June ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 edition.
Pato urged Chinese clubs to forge links with their European and South American counterparts to aid the development of their younger players.
“When I was there, I saw a lot of talented Chinese players. I remember Wu Lei, who played for Shanghai, went to play for Espanyol in Spain – many more Chinese players have the quality to go and play in Europe.
“Teams in China need to create links with European and Brazilian sides and do exchanges of academy players – this helps them understand new cultures.”
Pato also said a shift in approach at grass roots level is what the country needed to improve their prospects.

“The government and Football Association need to change their approach,” he said. “Rather than just a financial investment, it requires a change of mindset.
“Children and even the parents need to alter how they view the game.
“Big European teams are very visible here. Milan, for example, opening an academy, which is very important to help improve and develop the players.
“I truly hope China can qualify for a World Cup. I’m here cheering them on. And if they need extra help, I’m available.”
While at Milan’s Lam Tin academy, Pato showed his talent-spotting credentials. Following a light training session with some pupils aged between six and 12, he took one coach aside to point out three youngsters in particular who had impressed him.
Asked how he was able to judge the potential of a child so young, he said: “I love watching and I learned to keep an eye out for a few details which indicate a player could reach a certain level.
“What I look for is an ability to read the game, a good touch and the confidence to play with the ball. When a child looks at a football, they feel at ease with it at their feet.”


After showcasing football stars, Hong Kong must focus on the local game

Hong Kong’s local football needs to harness festival passion

Could Hong Kong Football Festival rival city’s rugby sevens as its crown jewel?

Kai Tak football fest a win for Hong Kong as host of elite sporting events

Hong Kong Football Festival 2025

AC Milan idol Pato says time in China one of ‘most important experiences of my life’

Alexandre Pato celebrating after scoring for Tianjin Quanjian in an AFC Champions League match against fellow Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande in 2018. Photo: AFP

Alexandre Pato in action against Guangzhou R&F in a Chinese Super League match in 2017. Photo: AFP

Alexandre Pato playing with children from the AC Milan academy on Saturday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s Oliver Xu and Ma Kong-san drafted into Chinese Basketball Association

Oliver Xu (left), seen here playing for Hong Kong in the Fiba 3x3 Paris Olympic qualifiers, played for Japanese B.League 3 side Iwate Big Bulls last year. Photo: Getty Images

This year’s Chinese Basketball Association Draft was held in Qingdao. Photo: Handout

Yang Hansen made an appearance in a session with the fans in Qingdao on Saturday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong makes U-turn over rule blocking its teams from entering National Games

An aerial view of Kai Tak Sports Park, where some Games events will be staged. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong’s men’s senior basketball team (in white) may be reprieved by the U-turn. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Football

Ex-Brazil international played for Tianjin Quanjian in Chinese Super League boom years and faced Diego Forlan’s Kitchee in AFC Champions League


Ex-Brazil international played for Tianjin Quanjian in Chinese Super League boom years and faced Diego Forlan’s Kitchee in AFC Champions League.


Italian Serie A