Adriano
Flamengo youth product who came back from Inter Milan in 2009 and helped win the Série A.
Adriano Leite Ribeiro, born on 17 February 1982, started his career in Flamengo's youth squad in 1999 and was promoted to the senior team a year later. After four prolific seasons in Italy with Parma and Inter Milan, where he was nicknamed L'Imperatore (the Emperor), he returned to Brazil in 2009 and won the Brasileirão with Flamengo, and later with Corinthians.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Adriano Leite Ribeiro
- Born
- 17 February 1982
- Birthplace
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Height
- 1.89 m / 6 ft 2 in
- Position
- Striker
Lore & Background
Adriano signed a two-year contract with Flamengo in June 2000 but moved to Inter Milan for the 2001–02 season. He rejoined Flamengo on a one-year contract on 6 May 2009, scored on his return against Atlético Paranaense on 31 May, and hit his first Flamengo hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Internacional on 21 June. His form was instrumental in Flamengo's first Série A title since 1992.
Reader's Guide
Adriano was a versatile striker who combined pace and physical power with quick footwork and technique. His Flamengo honours are the 2009 Série A and the Campeonato Carioca in 2000 and 2001.
A third spell followed when Adriano signed for Flamengo again on 21 August 2012; the club released him on 7 November 2012.
Did You Know?
- Adriano's nickname, the Emperor, refers to the Roman emperor Hadrian.
- He won the Série A with two clubs after coming home: Flamengo in 2009 and Corinthians in 2011.
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