Adriano Leite Ribeiro – The King’s Fall from Grace (Part 2)
Fall from Grace
Adriano started the 2006/07 seaon in questionable shape following his untidy preseason and knack for staying out late. In 2007, Adriano lost his father, the two were really close. The depression caused Adriano to lose his head and the mercurial forward got
deeper in to the abyss of alcoholism. Inter President Massimo Moratti acted as a fatherly figure and continuously supported the striker; however Adriano didn’t show any signs of improvement. On November 16, 2007, Adriano was sent to his native Brazil on an
unpaid leave, where he trained with Sao Paulo. At the start of the 2009/10 season, Inter decided to terminate the contract with the Brazilian, putting an end to a relationship that was destined for greatness just two years back.
The Slow Rise
Brazilian Serie A side Flamengo reacquired their prodigal son and the striker slowly started his recovery. The striker managed to find some of the form that made him a superstar, netting 19 league goals for the club. The striker managed to win the league
due to his form and won a host of individual awards including the league top-scorer and the best player awards.
Return to Europe
Italian Serie A club AS Roma acquired the Brazilian on a free transfer at the start of the current Serie A season. The striker was offered a handsome 5 million Euros annual salary. Fans of the forgotten striker were happy with his return to Serie A but Adriano
has already failed to turn up for multiple trainings, often staying out late partying. His physical fitness is still far from ideal and Ranieri was heard scolding the Brazilian for his lack of effort in training. Roma’s subsequent purchase of Marco Borriello
from AC Milan shows things are not as well as they were thought to be initially. It was such a heartbreaking sight watching the player struggle against weakest of the opponents, where he once terrorised the best of the defenders. At 28 years of age, the striker
has much to offer to the beautiful game and has time on his hands. One can only hope for the boundlessly talented striker and if he fails this time, his demise would be a great loss to football as a whole.
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