AC Milan cemented their third position in Serie A tonight with victory over Fiorentina at the San Siro but the result was overshadowed by protests from the home fans against the possible sale of Kaka to Manchester City.
However, while all of the attention was focused on Kaka and the chances of it being his last game for Milan - for whom David Beckham started once again - it was the to be another Brazilian who shone.
Pato has just completed his first full year as a Milan player and the 19-year-old seems to be settling in nicely.
His goal in the seventh minute was his sixth in the Rossoneri's last four Serie A fixtures, and it took his side to within six points of league leaders Inter Milan, who travel to Atalanta.
Fiorentina went close several times in the second half, but not even a red card for Marek Jankulovski in stoppage time could alter the outcome.
If Kaka's decision to leave Milan for Manchester City has not yet been made, the Rossoneri fans ensured it would be a tough choice for him as they chanted his name for over 90 minutes and implored the club not to sell him.
Kaka did not seem too uncomfortable with all the attention. He had a spring in his step which he has shown only fleetingly this season and the Fiorentina defenders struggled to keep up with him on more than one occasion.
However, it was to be referee Roberto Rosetti who stole the limelight early on with a controversial penalty call.
Barely five minutes were on the clock when he pointed to the spot after Mario Santana fell over the arms of Christian Abbiati, who raced to the linesman in protest.
Rosetti, one of Italy's most experienced officials and the referee of the Euro 2008 final, consulted his assistant before reversing his decision and recommencing play with a drop ball.
Fiorentina were still protesting when Pato put the ball into the back of the net to give Milan the lead after seven minutes.
A short corner failed to come off as Beckham's cross was blocked, but the England international chased down the loose ball and a quick touch from Clarence Seedorf sent Pato through.
The youngster continued his rich vein of form with a low shot across Marco Storari going in off the far post.
Kaka then began setting the tone, coming from deep and looking imperious with the ball at his feet.
He sent Pato through in the 12th minute with Rosetti this time waving away a penalty claim from the home team when the Brazilian fell under the close watch of Gamberini.
Per Kroldrup earned a yellow card as he halted Kaka's 40-yard run towards goal 10 minutes later and, shortly afterwards, the Brazilian went down inside the area sandwiched between Gamberini and Comotto, but again Rosetti turned down appeals for a spot kick.
At the other end, the Viola also had their penalty appeal waved away when Giuseppe Favalli clattered into the back of Riccardo Montolivo, who had his back to goal.
Montolivo then came close to an equaliser with a curling shot from 20 yards out forcing Abbiati into a diving save.
Beckham almost scored his first goal for Milan at the end of the first half when he was sent into the penalty area by Pato, but Storari got his fingertips to his low, well-placed shot and pushed the ball behind for a corner.
Fiorentina reminded Milan how slender their one-goal lead was in the 66th minute when Juan Vargas' cross was drilled towards goal by Santana from 10 yards out, but Abbiati was well positioned to make a reflex save.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti reacted by bringing on Mathieu Flamini for Seedorf, shifting Beckham into a more central position.
The substitution did not go down too well, but Ancelotti's next change earned an even colder response from the 65,000 fans inside the San Siro.
Even if Kaka were to leave, the Milan faithful appears to have found a new hero in Pato, and his name soon drowned out his compatriot's as he was given a standing ovation when he left the field 10 minutes from the end.
His goal was once again enough to earn Milan all three points, which they held onto despite losing Jankulovski to a red card in stoppage time.
