Former Brazilian star Adriano reveals in his new book, My Greatest Fear, a series of crises he experienced during his peak career at Inter Milan. Adriano was once a focal point in European football with his astonishing shooting ability and speed, but behind his career lay many untold stories.
In the book, Adriano candidly recounts how his life fell into chaos after his father’s death. The loss of a loved one plunged him into depression and alcoholism, which quickly affected both his career and personal life. “Many people use football as an escape, and I needed to escape from football,” Adriano writes in his memoir.
During that period, Adriano frequently found himself in various troubles, tarnishing his image and disappointing countless fans. Psychological issues combined with constant injuries significantly diminished his performance. Inter Milan’s patience with him also began to wear thin. Adriano particularly mentions the difficult times when the club suspected him of using performance-enhancing drugs and even suggested he undergo hair testing to prove his innocence. “Those baseless suspicions almost drove me to the brink of collapse,” Adriano recalls.
Facing these challenges, then-Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti tried to lend a helping hand, suggesting that Adriano seek treatment at a psychological rehabilitation center in Switzerland. However, Adriano rejected this proposal, believing he did not need such treatment. “Why do you want to send me to a mental hospital?” he felt confused and offended by Moratti’s suggestion.
Ultimately, in 2008, Adriano left Inter Milan on loan, returning to Brazil, marking the end of his peak career. Although he later returned to Italy to join Roma, he never regained his former glory. Adriano’s career eventually concluded in Major League Soccer, but he never returned to his best form.
“The biggest waste in football: I… I like the word ‘waste,’ not just because of its pronunciation, but because I found a kind of obsession in wasting my life. Looking back now, I was seeking happiness and enjoying the sense of shame in that waste,” Adriano summarizes his experience in his book.
Today, Adriano continues to struggle with mental and physical health issues, leaving fans with a sense of regret for a talent who could have achieved much more in European football.
