For those of a superstitious persuasion, it was hard to ignore the signs.
March 26, 2008. North London. In a friendly to celebrate the 50-year anniversary since a 17-year-old called Pele netted twice to help Brazil to their maiden World Cup against Sweden, another precocious teenage talent stole the show against the very same opponents.
To the footballing world, of course, Alexandre Pato wasn't a total unknown. Having already made his name at AC Milan, the then-European Cup holders, the 18-year-old's reputation in his homeland was strong.
But this was the moment he truly announced himself to the world at large.