AC Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta has heaped enormous praise on striker Alexandre Pato by comparing him to Barcelona’s Argentine superstar and 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year favourite Lionel Messi.

Pato has been in a rich vein of form having netted six goals in 14 appearances for the Rossoneri this season.

The ‘Duck’ was also the star of the show last month when his two goals helped AC Milan win a pulsating tie against Real Madrid 3-2 in last month’s Group C UEFA Champions League clash of the giants at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 20-year-old has already won significant praise from the likes of David Beckham and ex-Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, and now Zambrotta has added his name to the growing list of admirers.

"Who is Milan's Messi? Simple, it's Pato," the 32 year old told Tuttosport.

"Everyone knows how much he is worth and what he can do. He can become like Messi. He is very strong,” he added.

The Como born full-back also reserved special praise for team-mate Ronaldinho who appears to be recapturing some of the form which saw him grab back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year’s, after a slow start to life in the fashion capital of the world.

"There are always players who adapt to different systems to create great play. One of those is 'Dinho', who is getting back to his best," he said.

Leonardo’s men will be hoping to maintain momentum when they travel to the capital to face a struggling Lazio side on Sunday.