In the last game of the Serie A season, while playing for A.C. Milan, Brazil forward Alexandre Pato injured his shoulder and had surgery as a result. At the time, Milan said that it would take months for him to recover from the surgery and that he would miss the 2011 Copa America as a result. However, Pato was never dropped from Brazil's initial squad in hopes that he would recover, and it appears that he has. According to the player himself, he's fit and ready for Copa America.
Pato Is Fit, Expects To Play In Copa America 2011 For Brazil
Pato hasn’t played either of Brazil’s two recent friendlies, but he insists that he is not only fit enough to stay on the team, but 100 percent fit and able to take the No. 9 shirt for Brazil. This is a pretty surprising turn of events for a player that hasn’t played any football in a month, but it seems reasonable. If Pato weren’t fit, Mano Menezes would have likely removed him from the team.
If Pato is unable to start Brazil’s opening game in Copa America, Fluminense striker Fred will likely take his place.
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