I'd have won Ballon d'Or but football slipped through my fingers – I didn't want to earn so much while not performing
FORMER Brazil star Adriano has opened up over his startling fall from grace, admitting he could have won the Ballon d'Or if not for his hasty decline as a footballer.
Adriano, 43, once had the world at his fingertips after bursting onto the scene with Flamengo in 2000.
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Adriano reckons he could have won the Ballon d'Or if not for his sharp career nosedive
Credit: AP:Associated Press
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The icon was once a household name and one of football's most feared strikers
Credit: AP
He became a household name when he joined
But following the 2006 World Cup, Adriano's form quickly declined and he began suffering numerous fitness problems due to his partying lifestyle.
Adriano later admitted that
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And his career was never the same again despite playing for the likes of Roma, Corinthians and boyhood club Flamengo once more.
Adriano, who retired in 2016, has since
And now, the icon believes he would have 'won the Ballon d'Or with the mind I had today.'
He told Amazon Prime Video: 'I wasn't in a good place mentally. After my father died, football slipped through my fingers.
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'I went out to avoid thinking and the next day I was worse. I didn't do what I did because I wanted to party or let loose; I did it because I had a heavy heart.'
Adriano also thanked Inter Milan for offering him professional help – which he did not accept at the time.
Brazil legend Adriano breaks down in tears during farewell match after late dad 'sends message' using AI
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Adriano also starred for Brazil before retiring from football in 2016
Credit: AFP
He continued: 'They offered me admission to a specialised centre because I was depressed.
'But I didn't understand that I needed help. I thought what I was doing was normal, it was a big mistake.
'(Former Inter president Massimo Moratti) always offered me everything in his power to help me, but I didn't accept it. I made a mistake.'
Adriano also felt guilty at receiving huge wages while being unavailable to play, leading to his decision to quit Inter in 2009.
He added: 'I spoke with Moratti and told him I accepted any sanctions they might impose on me.
'I didn't want to continue earning a high salary without being able to perform. I didn't have the brains to continue.
'I've always said I could have done more but that wasn't the case. Things happened that held me back.'
Adriano's career stats
Flamengo, 2000-2001: 59 games, 16 goals
Inter Milan, 2001: 14 games, 1 goal
Fiorentina (loan), 2002: 15 games, 6 goals
Parma, 2002-2004: 44 games, 26 goals
Inter Milan, 2004-2009: 163 games, 73 goals
Sao Paulo (loan), 2008: 29 games, 17 goals
Flamengo, 2009-2010: 51 games, 34 goals
Roma, 2010: 8 games, 0 goals
Corinthians, 2011-2012: 7 games, 2 goals
Atletico Paranaense, 2014: 4 games, 1 goal
Miami United, 2016: 1 game, 1 goal
Brazil, 2000-2010: 48 games, 27 goals
Trophies
Flamengo: Serie A, Campenoato Carioca
Inter Milan: Serie A x3, Coppa Italia x2, Italian Supercup x3
Corinthians: Serie A
Brazil: U17 World Cup, South American Youth Championship, Copa America, Confederations Cup
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