The Rise and Fall of the Emperor: Adriano’s Struggle with Fame and Alcohol
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Adriano, once dubbed the Emperor of football, has swooped back into the limelight, but not for his breathtaking goals. No, this time he’s telling the tale in a hefty 500-page autobiography titled “My Greatest Fear”. And it sounds like it was a fear he had plenty of reason to face: a championship career overshadowed by his battles with alcohol and depression.
Just recently, our favorite footballer was caught on video strutting through a Brazilian favela, clutching a beer like it was the last bastion of hope. But I suppose if you’re going to have a drink while strolling through the favelas, you could at least make it look like a scene from a telenovela, right?
Insights into the World of Adriano
Now, let’s break down this tango through despair. Adriano reminisces about how he would arrive home, searching for an excuse to crack open a bottle. It could be because his friends were around or because quite frankly, silence was just far too intimate. Imagine lying in a corner, not even able to muster a dream… Sounds like a Saturday night at my place, minus the football career.
He reflects on his time at Inter, nonchalantly admitting, “I drank and was late for training.” Late for training? I’ve heard of players missing their taxis, but coming in after a bender? Talk about a warm-up! His coach, like a guardian angel with a sense of style, probably shook his head with a “We’ll handle this internally” attitude. Forget about a press release; they didn’t want to type out the tabloids on a Monday morning.
Adriano’s Revelations
Enter Massimo Moratti, the Nerazzurri president of the time, who tried to intervene like a concerned parent. He reassured Adriano: “What is happening to you is nothing to be ashamed of.” I mean, can you imagine? It’s like your gym instructor telling you that it’s completely normal to finish a box of doughnuts before a workout. But Adriano? He wasn’t having it.
When Moratti suggested sending him to a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland, the responses from Adriano resonated through history. “I’m not crazy, President,” he retorted. Classic. He thought the thought of sticking him in a mental hospital was ludicrous. And, to be fair, have you ever seen a footballer carted off to rehab? It’s not like they have a “Famous Last Words” section in the football hall of fame dedicated to rehab stories.
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Adriano, once hailed as the Emperor of football, shares his tumultuous journey in an extensive autobiography spanning 500 pages, co-written with notable journalist Ulisses Neto, titled «My greatest fear». This memoir candidly recounts the life of a champion who, over the years, has faced staggering battles with alcohol and depression, ultimately succumbing to his inner demons. Recently, he was spotted on video strolling through a Brazilian favela, a beer in hand, symbolizing the stark contrast from his glorious past as a striker for prestigious clubs such as Inter, Parma, Fiorentina, and Roma.
INSIGHTS
Hadrian, what happened to the Emperor: from the matches against Roma and Inter to the days in the favelas between alcohol and dancing
Hadrian’s confessions
“I would come home and find any reason to drink,” stated Adriano. “Either because my friends were around or to avoid silence and sleep. I lay in a corner without even being able to dream. Many people use football as an outlet, but I needed an escape from this sport.” He further reflected on his tumultuous years at Inter, admitting, «I drank and was late for training. The company tried to cover everything up to keep my struggles out of the media spotlight. I was receiving fines deducted from my paychecks, yet I remained indifferent because I was fortunate enough to earn a substantial income.” This troubling situation led to an intervention by the Nerazzurri president at the time, Massimo Moratti.
Moratti approached Adriano with compassion: «He said to me, “Adri, first of all, I want to tell you something. What is happening to you is nothing to be ashamed of. It has already happened and happens to many.” His words, delivered in his distinctly calm and dignified manner, were followed by a recommendation: “I want to give you a suggestion. We would like to send you to a very special place,” referring to a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland. Unfortunately, Adriano was not receptive to this idea: “What did they think they were doing? I was depressed and didn’t understand things well. I didn’t understand what they were saying.
I said, “I’m not crazy, President. With all due respect. But why does he want to send me to a mental hospital?” That idea was absurd. Have you ever seen a player admitted to a rehabilitation clinic?”.
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**Interview with Adriano: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Emperor**
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by the man himself, Adriano, the once-revered Emperor of football. Adriano, welcome!
**Adriano:** Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here to share my story.
**Editor:** Your autobiography, *My Greatest Fear*, has sparked a lot of conversations. What compelled you to finally tell your story?
**Adriano:** I think it was time. For years, I lived in the shadows of my fame, and the only way to reclaim my narrative was to open up about my true struggles. Alcohol and depression affected my career and personal life deeply.
**Editor:** You’ve been open about your battles with alcohol. Can you elaborate on how it intertwined with your football life?
**Adriano:** Definitely. Football was my life—it was everything I’d dreamed of. But with that came immense pressure. I started drinking to escape that pressure, and it spiraled out of control. I had moments where I’d be late for training, and my coach would just look on, not fully understanding the depths of my struggles.
**Editor:** It sounds like it was a difficult balance. How did you feel about the intervention from Massimo Moratti, the president of Inter at the time?
**Adriano:** When he suggested rehab, I was resistant. I didn’t see it as a solution; I thought it meant I was ‘crazy.’ But looking back, I realize how much he cared. He was like a father figure trying to protect me, and it took me a long time to understand that.
**Editor:** Recently, you were seen walking through a favela in Brazil with a beer in hand. What was the context behind that moment?
**Adriano:** It was a real moment for me, showcasing how life can be a mix of highs and lows. I find myself in places that remind me of my roots, and sometimes I slip back into old habits. But I also see it as part of my journey and the constant battle I face.
**Editor:** You mentioned in your book how you sometimes sought the silence of your own space after games. What do you think that silence represented for you?
**Adriano:** Silence was both a comfort and a prison. It allowed me to reflect but also made me confront my demons. I often preferred the noise of a party over facing the emptiness of being alone with my thoughts.
**Editor:** Moving forward, do you have any hopes or plans to advocate for mental health awareness in sports?
**Adriano:** Absolutely. If my story can help even one person facing similar struggles, then it’s worth it. Athletes need to understand that it’s okay not to be okay, and there are resources and people that can help.
**Editor:** Thank you, Adriano, for your honesty and courage. We look forward to seeing how your journey continues.
**Adriano:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to share, and I hope to inspire others!