When an artificial intelligence-generated message from his late father was played during a farewell game at his former club Flamengo, former Brazil striker Adriano broke down in tears.
The game was held in Rio de Janeiro’s storied Maracana Stadium to honor the 42-year-old former Inter Milan striker, who announced his retirement from football eight years ago.
The legendary players from Brazil, Romario, Ze Roberto, and Dida, participated in a match between “Friends of Italy” and “Flamengo Legends.”
Brazil’s 48-cap Adriano participated and scored for both teams as Flamengo Legends prevailed 4–3.
In the second half, his son Adrianinho played with his father and opened the score.
In order to play the message from Adriano’s father, who passed away in 2004, to the audience, play was stopped after the interval.
Before play restarted, Adriano completed a lap of the field and kissed the Flamengo badge.
“It’s a shame he couldn’t be here, but I know he’s happy with everything I learned from him,” Adriano stated to SporTV.
“My friends’ love for me is the most significant thing to me.
“Everyone’s love and affection for me is more important than the fact that I’m a player. I’m thrilled and it’s in my heart.”
Adriano was predicted to become one of Brazil’s greatest strikers of all time and was once among the most feared players in the world.
After moving from Flamengo to Inter in 2001, he helped the Italian team win two Italian Cups and four Serie A championships.
Adriano, who won the Copa America with Brazil in 2004, is well-known for his strong left foot.
However, as his father passed away later that year, his career took a severe turn for the worse.
Adriano continued to start for Brazil in the 2006 World Cup, although his performance declined as a result of his weight and drinking issues.
After leaving Inter in 2009, he played for Sao Paulo, Roma, Corinthians, and Flamengo, his boyhood club, until retiring to Miami United in 2016.
Since then, Adriano has talked about overcoming drinking and depression in his professional life.
“Are you familiar with the experience of being a ‘hope’? “I am aware of it,” Adriano stated to the Players’ Tribune in November.
“I am the biggest football waste. The word ‘waste’ appeals to me. They attempt to convince people that I am not a criminal, but I could have been, even if I don’t do drugs. I have a drink every day.
