Don't muck with the Duck, Inter warn

South American champions Internacional striker Alexandre Pato kicks a ball during a training session in Tokyo on December 8. Internacional has warned the media to stay away from Pato at the Club World Cup.

South American champions Internacional has warned the media to stay away from teen prodigy Alexandre 'The Duck' Pato at the Club World Cup.

The 17-year-old, hailed as the next big thing in Brazilian football, has been kept under tight wraps here and coach Abel Braga urged the press not to put him under pressure.

"He's got the ability and he answers in a positive way every time we ask him to do something," said Braga on Tuesday.

"But it's not good to put all the pressure on him. We don't want him to have all the responsibility.

"We're a team. He's very important but he's just 17 years old at the moment."

Pato earned rave reviews in his debut for Inter last month, scoring with his first touch, setting up two more goals and heading against the post in less than an hour.

Interest from foreign clubs, including Arsenal, prompted Inter to give him a new three-year contract at five times his previous wages and to insert a 20 million dollar buy-out penalty.

Inter need to beat African champions Al Ahly in their opening match on Wednesday to advance to the final, where they are likely to meet favourites Barcelona.

"Pato has got the qualities to take the pressure but he doesn't have the experience yet," said captain Fernandao.

"Everyone's looking at him like he's the player who's going to save the team. He's got the qualities to do that but it's not fair to put pressure on him."

Victory on Wednesday could bring 'The Duck' face-to-face with two-time World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, who cut his teeth with Inter's Porto Alegre rivals, Gremio.

"I've heard about him -- I know all of Inter's players because they're from Brazil and I discuss them with my friends," Ronaldinho told a separate press conference.

"I hear he has a great future ahead of him but personally I've never seen him play."

Braga also announced that he had signed a year's extension to his contract with Inter.