Adriano to make shock football return at 42 as Brazil & Inter cult hero bids to ‘end my cycle’

The iconic forward, often referred to as “Imperador” (The Emperor), has announced he will participate in a farewell match on December 15 at Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Maracana Stadium where Flamengo and Serie A giants Inter will lock horns. Adriano is expected to wear both the Flamengo and Inter Milan shirts one last time, swapping between the two teams in each half.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although Adriano has been retired from professional football for several years, fans and supporters have long awaited an official farewell. His last professional appearance came in 2016 when he played two matches for Miami United in the fourth division of the United States football pyramid at the age of 33. Since then, Adriano has taken part in various charity matches, such as Zico’s “Jogo das Estrelas” and the “Futebol Solidário,” which raised money for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul.

  • WHAT ADRIANO SAID

    Reflecting on his decision to arrange this final game, Adriano stated: “Many people asked me to say goodbye. Although I stopped playing a few years ago, I needed this match to end my cycle. I owed it to everyone who supported me and still supports me.”

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Adriano’s football journey began at Flamengo, where he was discovered as a youth talent in the early 1990s. He rapidly rose through the ranks and moved to Europe in 2001. Wearing the famed Inter shirt, Adriano played in 177 matches, scoring 74 goals in two stints between 2001 and 2009. During this period, he helped Inter win four Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles, and one Supercoppa Italiana. After leaving for Europe, he returned to Flamengo in 2009, leading them to victory in the Brasileirao, Brazil’s top football league, where he scored 19 goals.

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      WHAT NEXT FOR ADRIANO?

      Adriano, who also scored 27 goals in 48 appearances for Brazil, will personally invite players to participate in the event. As the 42-year-old bids goodbye to the sport he once dominated, the game will serve as a celebration of his incredible journey—from the young talent at Flamengo to the feared striker at Inter Milan and his heroic performances for Brazil.