Former Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano, nicknamed the “Emperor” in his prime, bid farewell to football Sunday in a testimonial match at the home of Flamengo, the club where his once promising career started.
The 42-year old had been tipped to become one of the football greats, but eventually succumbed to the pressures of sporting fame.
The testimonial, played at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, ended with a 4-3 victory for the “Flamengo Legends” against “Friends of Italy”.
The occasion allowed Adriano to formally say goodbye, eight years after his last official match, and featured several Brazil greats including striker Romario and goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
The 48-time capped player was also accompanied on the pitch by his son Adrianinho, and scored goals for both teams.
An emotional Adriano was hugged by all the players when the screen showed a message created by artificial intelligence from his deceased father.
Winner of the Copa America in 2004 and the Confederations Cup the following year, at barely 22 years old, Adriano gradually disappeared from the radar.
But after being a starter at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he gradually lost his place in the national team and club football, plagued by weight problems.
He won four Serie A titles with Inter and the Italian Cup trophy twice.
He also played for Italian clubs Roma, Parma and Fiorentina during his career which finished in 2016 after a brief stint with Miami United.
He returned to live in the favela of his childhood, in Rio.
