"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."
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.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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