The Brazilian has often been ridiculed for carrying excess weight, but the root cause is a medical condition known as hypothyroidism where a lack of hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. He has now lost over five kilograms since moving to Milan from Real Madrid.

"You will see him very soon and it will be a surprise for everyone," Ancelotti said yesterday. "He looks like a model and he will have a great season. He is motivated and wants to demonstrate that he is of the world's best strikers."