Adriano Leite Ribeiro – The King’s Fall from Grace (Part 1)
Background
Born on February 17th, 1982, Adriano Leite Ribeiro or simply Adriano is another name on the long list of outrageously talented Brazilian strikers. Adriano started off his career in 1999 with his childhood club Flamengo. His performances with the
youth squad were so impressive that he was promoted to the senior squad the next year. Adriano scored his first goal for the club against Sao Paulo in only his second senior appearance for the club. The talent of the player didn’t go unnoticed and Serie A
giants Internazionale signed the prodigy the next season for an undisclosed fee.
The Rise
Upon his arrival in Europe, Adriano was a raw talent in need of grooming, thus was loaned out to Fiorentina. He scored 6 goals in only 15 league appearances. The following year, he was sold to Parma FC under a two year co-ownership deal. Under the then Parma
Coach Cesare Prandelli, the striker formed a devastating partnership with Adrian Mutu. Prandelli is wildly credited with grooming the talents of Adrian Mutu, Adriano and Alberto Gilardino. Adriano scored a stunning 23 league goals in 2003/04 Serie A season,
despite missing the entire month of November due to injury. The Nerazzurri hierarchy was so impressed with the young sensation that he was immediately required the next season.
The King
Adriano returned to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the Inter Jersey and was given a four-year contract. The Brazilian really hit the ground running, as he scored 12 goals in only 18 appearances in his return season. Adriano was arguably the best striker in the
world in 2004/05, scoring a fantastic 40 goals in all competition. The blistering form prompted the club to offer him an improved contract that tied him to the club until 2010. The striker was adored dearly by the Nerazzurri faithful and earned the nickname
“The King.” His bullet of a left foot became his trademark, as he often left goalkeepers stranded on the spot with his venomous strikes. In a Serie A match once, he hit a host so hard that the ball bounced off the goal post and landed near the half line. The
video reels of the shot are still played on Italian television. His form was such that Real Madrid were reported to have made a 50 million Euros bid, only to see it rejected. Like so many fellow Brazilians, Adriano loved to party, often arriving late for trainings
and warm-ups.
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