Health concerns arise as a recent video surfaces showing Adriano, the former Inter Milan and Brazil forward, in a worrying condition
Once heralded as "The Emperor" of football, Adriano Leite Ribeiro's potential to join the pantheon of Brazilian football greats was vast. With an impressive tally of 77 goals during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Serie A seasons for Inter Milan, his prowess on the field was undeniable. Yet, recent footage captured by a fan reveals a starkly different reality: Adriano wandering the streets of a favela, barefoot and visibly intoxicated.
This sighting is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern for the former football star, whose life post-retirement has been marred by personal struggles. His departure from professional football in 2016 followed the devastating loss of his father, a turning point after which he openly admitted the game never felt the same. "When I played football, I played for my family. So, when my father died, football never felt the same again," Adriano shared in a heartfelt account to The Players Tribune.
The decline began even before his father's death, with Adriano facing numerous challenges related to alcohol, which gradually eroded his connection to the sport he once dominated. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the personal battles that often lurk behind professional success, resonating deeply with those familiar with the pressures of athletic stardom.