Emerson: Pato Is The New Bebeto

Emerson has dubbed Pato the new Bebeto in a homage to both the AC Milan youngster and, perhaps, the former Deportivo La Coruna legend.

Bebeto, who scored 42 goals for Brazil between 1985 and 1998, is still held in extremely high regard in Brazil, and Emerson has signalled that Pato could one day do the same.

"For a 17 year old he displays great personality, and great class... I'd compare him to Bebeto, for his class and his ability to score," 'Puma' Emerson said of Pato.

Emerson played alongside Bebeto in the 1998 World Cup finals squad, and could potentially do the same with Pato in three years' time.

For now, though, he is focused on AC Milan, complete with its own contingent of samba stars.

In an online chat session with fans on ACMilan.com, he said, "I'm feeling very happy here in Milan.

"And with all these Brazilians [Kaka, Pato etc.] I feel even more at home.

"[Carlo] Ancelotti is a great coach, too. He knows how to instill great calm and tranquility into the squad, says the right things, and does well by the players on the pitch.

"[Former coach at Real Madrid Fabio] Capello is a very serious boss, but Ancelotti jokes around with us players, and the atmosphere is generally more relaxed."

Emerson, 31, was accused by some Madrid fans of being over the hill last season, but the ex-Juventus midfielder insists that this is far from the truth.

"My physical preparation at the moment is fine," he claimed.

"My desire today is the same as it was with the club that launched my professional career, Gremio of Porto Alegre."

Emerson, looking back to his own days of a 17 year old, claimed that his own mentor growing up was Zico, who scored 66 goals in 88 appearances for Brazil.