Exceptional gala match in tribute to Adriano

It was on the lawn of the Maracana that Adriano did his last dance on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. He has in fact definitively announced his retirement even if there was no longer any doubt at 42 years old. The former Inter and AS Roma striker wanted to make it big by organizing a friendly match between friends, Flamengo against Italy. On one side his Brazilian teammates, on the other his friends he met in Serie A. Marco Materazzi, his former teammate with the Nerazzurri, was present, as were Nicolás Burdisso, Ivan Cordoba, Dida, Denílson, Julio César , Vágner Love, David Pizarro and Zé Roberto. Some videos have already circulated on social networks. Adriano played the first half on one side and the second with the other team: “The most important thing is friends. They are family. I can’t even believe it. Being here with my friends. I am very happy. I am a very emotional person. God gave me all this. I’m not the emperor, I’m Didico. My friends know my route. I’m shaking. My family is still there. I remember that when I arrived at Inter, Ronaldo opened the doors for me. I don’t know if I’m going to cry more or play today.”».

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Before the match, Romario also made some statements, speaking about his former teammate’s career with the national team: “Adriano is certainly on my level and that of Ronaldo. He made history at Flamengo and Inter. I have been summoned to the Emperor’s last battle. It will be grandiose. We like him, he has a big heart, he always proves that he is good. My arrival at Flamengo was different. I was the best player in the world, world champion, at the peak of my career. It will be a while before I see again. I don’t regret anything. I stopped earning more money to be happier. Today I score, nothing has changed“. In tears several times during this beautiful celebration, the one who returned to live in the favela of his childhood received a silver plaque with the inscription Imperador.

The two teams

FLEMISH : Adriano, Zico, Romário, Diego Ribas, Petkovic, Julio Cesar, Djalminha, Léo Moura, Zé Roberto, Beto, Athirson, Ronaldo Angelim, Toró, Edílson, Emerson Sheik, Reinaldo, Denílson, Juan, Zinho and Vágner Love.

ITALY : Adriano, Materazzi, Córdoba, Gamarra, Burdisso, David Pizarro, Fábio Júnior, Aldair, Dida, César, Gilberto, Zé Elias and Fábio Simplício.