In the early 2000s, the 42-year-old Adriano was widely regarded as one of the world's greatest forwards. His prime was marked by the nickname "Emperor" and a promising career that began at Flamengo. However, personal issues would soon derail his path in the footballing world.

Testimonial Match: A Bittersweet Goodbye

In a testimonial match held at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Adriano bid farewell to football. This once-promising career came to an end as the "Flamengo Legends" emerged victorious with a 4-3 score against "Friends of Italy". The occasion was a poignant one, allowing Adriano to formally say goodbye after eight years since his last official match. Several Brazil greats like striker Romario and goalkeeper Julio Cesar were in attendance. Adriano's son Adrianinho accompanied him on the pitch, and he even scored goals for both teams. An emotional Adriano was hugged by all the players when a message created by artificial intelligence from his deceased father was displayed on the screen.

Early Career Success

At just 22 years old, Adriano won the Copa America in 2004 and the Confederations Cup the following year. His talent was undeniable, and he was tipped to become one of the football greats. He started at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and won four Serie A titles with Inter Milan, along with the Italian Cup trophy twice. During his career, he also played for Italian clubs Roma, Parma, and Fiorentina before his brief stint with Miami United in 2016.

Plunge into Struggles

Despite his early success, Adriano gradually disappeared from the radar. After the 2006 World Cup, he faced weight and alcohol problems that plagued his career. He lost his place in the national team and club football. Returning to live in the favela of his childhood in Rio, he recently opened up about his struggles with alcoholism on the specialised site "The Players' Tribune". In his own words, he said, "Do you know what it’s like to be a ‘hope’? I know it. Including being a disappointed hope. The biggest waste in football: Me. I like that word ‘waste’… I don’t do drugs, as they try to make people believe, I am not a criminal but, of course, I could have been… I drink every day."