A chronic thigh injury has wrecked his season, and he will seek the advice of a specialist in Atlanta, Ga., according to Football Italia.
"Pato will undergo medical tests and a specialist consultation with Professor Frederick Carrick at the Life University of Marietta," Football Italia reports AC Milan said in a statement.
When healthy, the 22-year-old is one of world soccer's shining lights. But muscular problems have slowed him since March 2010. He has reportedly suffered at least 13 injuries — mostly in the muscles in his legs — during the last two years.
Pato has played 17 games this season, but lasted the entire 90 minutes just three times. He has one league goal to his name, after scoring over 50 since making his Serie A debut in 2008.
Carrick is a world-renowned chiropractic neurologist, who has treated a number of world-class athletes over the years. He has recently helped hockey star Sydney Crosby fight his battles with concussion symptoms.
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Photo via Flickr/Jan S0L0
