Adriano, the former Brazilian striker, celebrates his 43rd birthday today, reflecting on a professional career that showcased incredible potential yet was overshadowed by personal turmoil. Rising through the ranks at Flamengo, he moved to Inter Milan after a successful spell at Parma, making a name for himself as a prolific goal scorer. However, following the death of his father in 2004, Adriano faced severe off-the-pitch challenges, with alcohol dependency and emotional struggles causing notable declines in his career. Despite his immense talent and accolades, including the Golden Boot in multiple tournaments, his legacy remains a complex narrative of both greatness and disappointment.
At that time, I only felt happy when I drank. I could only sleep if I drank. My coach and my teammates noticed that I was hungover when I arrived for training.
He kept playing football, scoring goals and pointing to the sky, dedicating them to his father. But after that phone call, nothing was the same.
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