Adriano (footballer, born February 1982)

Early career Adriano started his career in 1999 on Flamengo's youth squad and earned promotion to the senior squad one year later. He made his team debut on 2 February 2000, a Torneio Rio-São Paulo match against Botafogo. He scored a goal against São Paulo in the same competition 4 days later. Despite signing a two-year contract with Flamengo in June 2000, he secured a move to Inter Milan for the 2001–02 season. Inter sold another half of Vampeta to PSG (ultimately to Flamengo from PSG for an undisclosed fee) for €9.757 million Adriano scored his first goal with the club against Real Madrid in a friendly match as a substitute. Parma Adriano was loaned to Fiorentina for the 2001–02 season, after which a two-year co-ownership deal with Parma was agreed, for €8.8 million, He formed an impressive striking duo with Adrian Mutu, scoring 22 goals in 36 appearances. He missed the month of November 2003 due to injury. Return to Inter Milan Adriano returned to the San Siro in January 2004 on a -year contract, for about €23.4 million and scored a total of 12 goals in the rest of 2003–04 season. Adriano's was in peak form in the 2004-05 season, where he scored 28 goals and was instrumental in Inter's Coppa Italia victory that year, scoring twice in the first leg of the finals to help Inter win their first Coppa Italia title in 23 years. In the Champions League, he scored 4 goals and had 3 assists to help Inter into the round of 16. In the round of 16, he scored a hat trick in the second leg against defending champions Porto. He was voted sixth for the 2004 FIFA World Player of the Year. In September 2005, Inter rewarded him for his efforts with an improved contract running until 30 June 2010. He finished the 2005-06 campaign with 19 goals as Inter won the double, with his most important moments coming in matches against Treviso, where he scored a hat trick in a 3-0 victory, and AC Milan, where he scored twice, including a game winner, in a 3-2 victory. Following the signing of the new deal, Adriano's future at Inter suffered due to poor performances, fueled by questions and speculation regarding his work ethic, which was called into question when he was twice caught partying at nightclubs during the 2006–07 campaign. On 18 February 2007, Adriano skipped a team practice due to effects from a lengthy celebration of his birthday the night before, which led to Inter manager Roberto Mancini benching him for the team's Champions League match against Valencia and subsequent Serie A fixture against Catania. He finished the campaign with 6 goals in 30 appearances. Loan to São Paulo in March 2008 On 16 November 2007, Inter owner Massimo Moratti sent Adriano on unpaid leave to his native Brazil for the second time in eighteen months, where he attended São Paulo's training center, due to his poor physical condition and a past battle with alcoholism. Though his agent denied Adriano's desire to return to Brazilian club football, Adriano claimed he was willing to leave Inter in the January transfer window in search of regular playing time, with the Italian press stating interest from West Ham United and Manchester City. In December 2007, Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra expressed interest in bringing Adriano to the club during the January transfer window, commenting, "Adriano was a top player, but he lost form when his father died, and he put on weight." Moratti, however, stated that Adriano would remain with Inter. "I would like him back here in January, as strong and as good as he was." On 10 December, Inter technical director Marco Branca said that Adriano was expected to rejoin the team at the start of the new year. "[The] news has been good. We intend to leave him in peace until the end of the programme and then he will be treated like the other players." Inter finalized a deal on 19 December to loan Adriano to São Paulo for the remainder of the 2007–08 season to allow him to compete in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. São Paulo fans were soon seen standing in long lines to buy his new number 10 jersey at the team's official merchandise retailer after Adriano was introduced and his shirt was unveiled at a team press conference. Adriano celebrated his competitive debut with São Paulo by scoring both goals in their 2–1 victory over Guaratinguetá on the opening day of the 2008 Paulista tournament. He was sent off after headbutting Santos centre-back Domingos on 10 February 2008, and was suspended for two matches after initially risking a suspension of eighteen months. He was fined by São Paulo on 29 February for arriving 30  minutes late for training, then leaving early and exchanging words with a photographer. According to team sporting director Marco Aurélio Cunha, Adriano "left the training ground because he wanted to. The team does not miss him. If he is not happy in São Paulo, he is free to go." São Paulo sporting director Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva announced on 17 June that Adriano was returning to Inter ahead of schedule. "We have a balanced squad and it was better for Adriano to go back, given that we won't be able to count on him for the rest of the campaign." 2008–09 season Adriano was a regular goalscorer in the early stages of the 2008–09 Serie A campaign, reaching a combined total of 100 domestic goals in the Italian Serie A and the Brazilian Série A. On 22 October 2008, Adriano scored the winner in a 1–0 win over Anorthosis Famagusta, and, with this goal, Adriano scored his 18th Champions League goal, and 70th for the club. In December, Inter Milan allowed him special dispensation to return to Brazil over the winter break earlier than planned. Inter confirmed on 4 April that Adriano had not returned from international duty with Brazil and had signed no contract with the club. On 24 April, Adriano finally rescinded his contract with Inter. Second stint at Flamengo Adriano signed a one-year contract for Brazilian club Flamengo on 6 May 2009, the club with which he started his career. On his debut after returning to Flamengo, played on 31 May 2009, he scored a goal against Atlético Paranaense. On 21 June 2009, he scored his first hat-trick for Flamengo in the 4–0 win over Internacional in the Brazilian Série A; his performances would be instrumental to lead Flamengo to their first Brazilian Serie A title since 1992. On 31 January 2010, Adriano scored his second hat-trick since his return, this time in a 5–3 comeback win in the Fla-Flu derby against rivals Fluminense in the 2010 Rio de Janeiro State League. Roma On 8 June 2010, Italian Serie A club Roma announced that Adriano had signed a three-year contract with the club, effective on 1 July, earning a gross annual salary of €5 million. He was then presented to the press with the no. 8 shirt. Roma terminated the contract on 8 March 2011, after seven months in the Italian capital. Corinthians On 25 March 2011, he signed a one-year deal with Corinthians. Adriano ruptured his Achilles tendon on 19 April, while he was training after the surgery he spent six months recovering. After recovering, he played his first game for Corinthians on 9 October 2011, when his club beat Atlético Goianiense 3–0. His first goal for Corinthians came on 20 October in the home game versus Atlético Mineiro, and was the winning goal that made the game 2–1 and gave Corinthians a two-point lead in the Championship with only two games remaining. On 12 March 2012, Adriano was released by Corinthians, after his irregular appearances and lack of interest. Third stint at Flamengo On 21 August 2012, Adriano signed a contract with Flamengo. On 7 November 2012, he was released by Flamengo. Atlético Paranaense On 11 February 2014, the Brazilian striker signed a deal with Atlético Paranaense after missing almost 2 years due to injury and off-field issues. On 11 April 2014, he was released by the club after 4 matches. Miami United and retirement On 28 January 2016, Adriano signed a contract with Miami United of the National Premier Soccer League. On 28 May 2016 he left Miami United. ==International career==

in 2006. He scored 27 goals in 48 appearances for Brazil. Adriano made his international debut for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia on 15 November 2000 at the age of 18. He was often considered as the long-term successor to Ronaldo. Adriano scored his first international goal on 11 June 2003 in a friendly against Nigeria. He was included in the Brazil team for 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup and led Brazil's attack alongside Ronaldinho in the absence of Ronaldo. He appeared in all three matches and scored two goals as Brazil was eliminated in the group stage. He missed the 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament due to injury. The following year, he was included in the Brazil national team for 2004 Copa América. Brazil won the cup and Adriano won the Golden Boot as the competition's leading scorer with seven goals. In the final match against Argentina, Adriano dramatically scored the equalizer in the 93rd minute. The match went on to penalties and Brazil finally won 4–2, with Adriano scoring his penalty. After the match, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira singled out Adriano as a very important factor in winning the title. Nine days after winning the Copa America, while preparing for Inter's preseason, Adriano's dad passed away due to health complications. In 2005, Adriano once again had an impressive tournament with Brazil, this time in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Adriano was named Player of the Tournament and received the Golden Boot Award as the competition's leading scorer with five goals. In the final, he steered Brazil to victory, scoring two goals in a 4–1 victory over Argentina. Adriano was called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, forming part of Brazil's highly publicized "magic quartet" of offensive players alongside Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká. After the disappointing World Cup, Adriano's international career declined due to a series of poor club performances and personal problems. Brazilian coach Dunga did not call Adriano up for any matches in 2006 and 2007, with the exception being in a 2–0 friendly loss to Portugal on 6 February 2007, where Adriano came in as a substitute. In 2008, Adriano finally regained his form during his stint at São Paulo and earned a recall to the national team, making his comeback in a 3-2 victory against Canada on 1 June 2008. On 10 October 2008, Adriano scored his first international goal in two years in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. He was a regular member of Brazil's squad during World Cup qualification, and was brought for the team's last friendly prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Republic of Ireland. However, Adriano was one of the two players dropped from the final 23-men squad by coach Dunga, along with Carlos Eduardo (who had replaced an injured Elano against Ireland). The backup of injured Luís Fabiano on the Ireland game, Grafite, instead occupied Adriano's place. Adriano was also left out of the backup player list. ==Style of play==

Adriano was a well-rounded, versatile, and modern striker, who combined pace and physicality with nimble footwork and excellent technical skills; due to his dominance, power, and skill, he was nicknamed ''L'Imperatore'' ("The Emperor") after the famous Roman Emperor Hadrian, during his time in Italy. Adriano was a left-footed player, who was gifted with excellent ball control, dribbling ability, and creativity. He was also a strong forward, with an eye for goal, and an immensely powerful striker of the ball with his left foot, as well as was an accurate free-kick taker; he was also effective in the air, and had the ability to link-up with his teammates and provide assists. Regarded as a highly promising player in his youth, Adriano's qualities and playing style drew comparisons with that of compatriot Ronaldo, and he was even initially regarded as his potential successor in the media. Despite his natural talent, Adriano's consistency, character, fitness, and work-rate were brought into question after the death of his father; moreover, his struggles with depression and alcoholism, combined with his hedonistic and turbulent lifestyle off the pitch, as well as his personal troubles, injury struggles, and lack of discipline in training, also contributed to his significant weight gain as his career progressed. Due to his inconsistency in later years, he was widely regarded in the media for failing to live up to his initial potential. Adriano is also a record three–time winner of the Bidone d'Oro Award, a prize is given to the worst Serie A player during a particular season, which he won in 2006 and 2007 with Inter, and in 2010 with Roma. ==Personal life==

In November 2014, a judge in Rio de Janeiro cleared Adriano of charges of drug trafficking which had first been alleged in 2010, due to a lack of sufficient evidence. His son, also named Adriano, is also a professional footballer. On 31 October 2024, an online video that had gone viral showed Adriano heavily intoxicated and stumbling on the streets of one of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. An accompanying article also mentioned his marital troubles (divorce after just 24 days of marriage). He admitted becoming an alcoholic after the death of his father. ==Career statistics==

Club International :''Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Adriano goal.'' == Honours ==

Flamengo • Série A: 2009 • Campeonato Carioca: 2000, 2001 Inter Milan • Serie A: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09 • Coppa Italia: 2004–05, 2005–06 • Supercoppa Italiana: 2005, 2006, 2008 Corinthians • Série A: 2011 Brazil U17 • FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1999 Brazil U20 • South American Youth Championship: 2001 Brazil • Copa América: 2004 • FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005 Individual • South American U-20 Championship Golden Shoe: 2001 • FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Shoe: 2001 • Ballon d'Or: 2004 (6th place), 2005 (7th place) • FIFA World Player of the Year: 2004 (6th place), 2005 (5th place) • Pirata d'Oro (Internazionale Player of the Year): 2004 • Copa América Golden Ball: 2004 • Copa América Golden Shoe: 2004 • Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2004 • FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 2005 • FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: 2005 • Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2009 • Campeonato Brasileiro Série A top goalscorer: 2009 • Bola de Ouro: 2009 • Bola de Prata: 2009 ==Footnotes==