Adriano Leite Ribeiro, once hailed as the “Imperador” (Emperor) of Italian football, left an indelible mark on the sport. His powerful left foot made him a hero in Parma and, more so, at the iconic Giuseppe Meazza stadium. Between January 2004 and June 2006, Adriano scored an impressive 59 goals in 107 games for Inter Milan. Yet, behind the titles and goals, a profound personal tragedy was unfolding, one that would forever alter the trajectory of his career.
The year 2004 marked a pivotal moment for Adriano. Having just won the Copa América with Brazil, where he was the top scorer, his future seemed bright. However, just nine days later, on August 3, Adriano’s world was shattered with the news of his father, Almir Leite Ribeiro’s, death. This loss sent Adriano into a downward spiral of depression and alcoholism.
In an interview with The Players Tribune in November 2024, Adriano revealed, “My father’s death changed my life forever. It’s a problem I still haven’t overcome today.” Despite continuing to score goals, Adriano admitted to drinking daily to cope with his grief, often arriving at training sessions intoxicated. He confessed, “I only felt happy when I drank every other day… and on the other days too. How does someone like me end up drinking almost every day?”
A Career in Decline
The Inter Milan tried to conceal Adriano’s struggles, citing injuries as the reason for his absences. Even as his form deteriorated, the club didn’t give up on him. Javier Zanetti, the iconic captain of Inter, later admitted that failing to help Adriano was his greatest professional defeat: “We couldn’t get him out of his depression. It still haunts me.”
A Return to Brazil and the End of an Era
After failed rehabilitation attempts in Italy, backed by then-Inter president Massimo Moratti and José Mourinho, Adriano returned to Brazil in 2009. At 27, though his physical condition had declined significantly from his Milan days, Adriano played a key role in Flamengo’s first championship win in 17 years. He made a brief return to Italy with Roma in 2011 but managed just eight appearances without scoring. Adriano eventually hung up his boots at 34, playing for Miami United in 2016, leaving behind a legacy marked by unfulfilled promise.
- Scored 59 goals in 107 games for Inter Milan between 2004 and 2006.
- Won the Copa América with Brazil in 2004, topping the scorers’ chart.
- Played a crucial role in Flamengo’s championship win in 2009.