Serie A

BRAZIL legend Adriano has heartbreakingly revealed that his father’s tragic death was the reason he fell out of love with football.The former Inter Milan striker, 39, was once touted as the heir to Ronaldo before battles with alcohol and depression saw his career decline.
Adriano was hit hard by the death of his dad Almir Leite Ribeiro
The former Inter Milan striker admitted he found no joy in his scoring feats at the San SiroCredit: Getty
At his peak, ‘The Emperor’ scored seven on the way to winning the Golden Boot during his country’s Copa America triumph in 2004.
But just nine days later Adriano’s father Almir Leite Ribeiro passed away and the forward has admitted the news sent his career spiralling.
He wrote in The Players’ Tribune: “After that day, my love for football was never the same. He loved the game, so I loved the game. It was that simple.
“It was my destiny. When I played football, I played for my family. When I scored, I scored for my family. So when my father died, football was never the same.
“I was across the ocean in Italy, away from my family, and I just couldn’t cope with it.
I have a hole in my ankle, and one in my soulAdriano
“I got so depressed, man. I started drinking a lot. I didn’t really want to train. It had nothing to do with Inter. I just wanted to go home.
“To be honest with you, even though I scored a lot of goals in Serie A over those few years, and even though the fans really loved me, my joy was gone. It was my dad, you know? I couldn’t just flip a switch and feel like myself again. Not all injuries are physical, you understand?
“When I popped my Achilles in 2011? Man, I knew that’s when it was over for me, physically.
“You can get surgery and rehabilitate it and try to carry on, but you will never be the same. My explosiveness was gone. My balance was gone. S***, I still walk with a limp. I still have a hole in my ankle.
“It was the same thing when my father died. Except the scar was inside me. ‘Man, what happened to Adriano?’ Brother, it’s simple. I have a hole in my ankle, and one in my soul.”
Adriano won four Serie A titles with Inter and remains a cult hero in Italy
Adriano – who retired in 2016 – revealed Inter had to pretend he was injured to cover up his drinking following the death of his father.
But behind the scenes, the ex-Brazil international admitted his off-field demons caused plenty of rows with then-manager Jose Mourinho.
He added: “In 2008, it was the time of Mourinho at Inter, and everything was just too much.
“The press were following me everywhere, and everything with Mourinho was, ‘F***ing hell! F***ing s***! You’re going to f*** me, aren’t you, boy?’
“I said, ‘Oh Lord. Get me out of here.’ I just couldn’t cope. I got called for the national team, and before I left Mourinho said, ‘You’re not coming back, are you?’ I said, ‘You already know it!’
“One-way ticket, brother.”
In 2008, it was the time of Mourinho at Inter, and everything was just too much
Adriano ultimately won four Serie A titles with Inter – and these accomplishments are especially dear to him.
In fact, when he recently flogged his £1.2million mansion, moving to a luxury £10,000-a-month hotel room, he only took his medals with him.
Adriano was also beloved for the three different spells he had with Flamengo – who play at the Maracana.
He even recently broke down in tears following the announcement that he had been inducted into the Maracana Stadium Walk of Fame.
And in the honest piece published in The Tribune, Adriano lifted the lid on the party culture at Flamengo on his return to Brazil.
Adriano also lifted the lid on the party culture at Flamengo on his return to his homeland
He said: “I was broken from my father’s death. I wanted to feel like myself again. I wasn’t on drugs. Was I drinking? Yes, of course. Hell yes, I was. Cheers to you, brother.
“Listen, if you test my piss — hand to God — you’re not going to find any drugs in my system. The day that I do drugs is the day that my mom and nan will die.
“But you know what? You will definitely find some booze. That p*** cup is probably going to turn cloudy like a caipirinha!
“When I came home to Rio to play for Flamengo, I did not want to be The Emperor anymore. I wanted to be Adriano. I wanted to have fun again. And brother, we had some fun.

“I will tell you the truth about that Flamengo team. Sometimes we showed up to training not for the football, but just for the drinks afterward.
“As soon as we were dismissed from training — poom! — party time. Straight to the Mercado Produtor. All the wives knew the deal! ‘We’ll be home at midnight!’ Hahahaha!
“The next day at training, someone would really be suffering, and another guy would say, ‘It’s O.K., brother. I see that you’re f*****. I’ll run for you! I got you!!!’”
Brazilian football hero Adriano breaks down in tears as he is given painting of him and his dad More

LEGENDARY Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.The 43-year-old spent 17 years with the Italian giants before departing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2018.
Buffon’s debut for Juventus came in 2001, an incredible 20 years agoCredit: Rex
The Italian has won a plethora of trophies during his time with the European giantsCredit: Getty
He then returned 12 months later but has made just 16 Serie A appearances over nearly two years, largely playing second fiddle to Wojciech Szczęsny.
And, with his contract up at the end of the season, Buffon has now confirmed he will be leaving in the summer.
Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted a quote from Buffon which read: “I’ve decided to leave Juventus at the end of the season, I’m not extending the contract.”
And Juve Canal report that the keeper added: “This year will be the definitive end of my beautiful & long experience with Juventus.”
It does not appear he is retiring, simply leaving Juventus at the end of his contract.
Buffon is widely regarded as one of the greatest keepers in the history of football.
He is one of just 31 players to have played more than 1,000 games in his career.
The Italian shot-stopper also holds the record for the most Serie A appearances with 656, nine more than AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.
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MEN FOR ALL SEASONSGianluigi Buffon, Peter Shilton and Stanley Matthews have made at least one first-team appearance between them in every season since 1931-32.

CAREER SPANS

Stanley Matthews – 1931-32 to 1964-65
Peter Shilton – 1965-66 to 1996-97
Gianluigi Buffon – 1995-96 to ?

Buffon will go down as an all-time great keeperCredit: Getty
Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club
Buffon started his career with Parma, where he played for six years and won the UEFA Cup in 1999.
He then joined Juventus in 2001 and has gone on to win 10 Serie A titles with The Old Lady.
Buffon also won four Coppa Italia trophies but has never won the Champions League, finishing runner-up on three occasions.
In his latter years, he also won Ligue 1 with PSG – his eighth straight league title – before returning to Juve to win another Serie A crown.
At international level, he is also Italy’s most-capped player of all time with 176 appearances, 40 more than any other player.
In 2006, he won the World Cup after Italy beat France on penalties in the final.
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Cristiano Ronaldo ‘looking carefully’ at Man Utd transfer if Juventus fail to make the Champions League More

THIS is the moment Fikayo Tomori FLOORS Cristiano Ronaldo in AC Milan’s 3-0 win at Juventus.Chelsea defender Tomori, 23, has been on loan at the San Siro since January.

Fikayo Tomori outmuscled Cristiano Ronaldo in AC Milan’s win at JuventusCredit: AP
He has made a huge impression in Milan, playing 19 times in all competitions.
But Tomori saved his biggest performance for Sunday’s stunning victory in Turin.
The England centre-back netted one of three goals for Milan as the former champions crumbled at home.
But there was an even more extraordinary moment when Tomori went to challenge Ronaldo for a loose pass.
Both men charged towards the stray ball as it moved at speed towards the edge of Milan’s penalty area.
They both arrived at the same time, with Ronaldo, 36, looking like he may even get the first foot in.
However, Tomori casually stepped in front of the Portuguese legend at the last second, winning the ball while sending Ronaldo crashing to the floor.
The 3-0 result sent Milan three points clear of Juventus in the battle for a Champions League spot.
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And the San Siro side are now eager to finalise a permanent £25million deal for Tomori, who they claim is eager to join them from Stamford Bridge.
Boss Stefano Pioli revealed: “We want to buy Tomori on a permanent deal from Chelsea.
“Our intention is clear and also Fikayo’s decision [to stay at Milan].
“We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”
Whether Thomas Tuchel wants to keep Tomori or not remains to be seen, with the ace struggling for minutes under former gaffer Frank Lampard.
However, Chelsea are now playing a system with three centre-backs.
Minus versatile veteran right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, there are just four natural players for those spots.
And Tuchel may want Tomori back in London to help him build a new Blues dynasty.
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori arrives in Italy for medical as AC Milan complete loan deal with £27million option to buy More