MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 06:29:12| >> :120:46280:46280:

Alexandre Pato backs David Beckham to shine at Olympics

Brazil striker Alexandre Pato believes that Britain and, in particular, David Beckham, will be a force to be reckoned with at this summer's Olympics.

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has backed Team GB and former teammate David Beckham to shine at this summer's Olympics.

Pato, 22, is set to appear at his second Olympic tournament after picking up a bronze medal in Beijing four years ago, but admits that he would not relish coming up against the British team.

Brazil face Britain in a friendly on July 20, but Pato is hopeful that that will be the only time the two sides meet.

"I hope I will only meet them in the friendly because in the Olympics they will be a very difficult side to beat, especially at home. This will be the third time London has hosted the Olympics and football is very important here and I think Great Britain will be going for the title," Pato said.

"Football is very important in Brazil and of all the times we have played at the Olympics we have never won a gold medal.

"In Beijing we won the bronze, which wasn't what was expected of us. But for me, getting that medal stirred up great emotion. If that was the emotion in winning the bronze I don't know what it would be like to win gold."

In particular, Pato earmarked David Beckham as one of Team GB's biggest threats, saying: "David has a lot to give in terms of his professionalism, in training, his expertise and his experience.

"As a passer, a shooter, a free-kick expert he is a great asset and we do have to be very careful with him in these positions.

"If he can play for Great Britain at the Olympics he will be a real asset."

Pato scored one goal at the 2008 Olympics, coming against New Zealand in a match that Brazil went on to win 5-0.

ID:32251: cacheID:32251:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2496:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
David Beckham
Read Next:
Beckham: I'd love to be part of Olympics
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!