Drunk at training but Inter told the press I was injured: Adriano

Drunk at training but Inter told the press I was injured: Adriano

Former Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano has opened up about his struggles with alcoholism and depression during his time in Italy.

The Brazilian was one of the hottest properties in world football when he returned to the San Siro from Parma. Adriano was lethal in his early days at the San Siro but he has revealed he suffered from depression following the death of his father in 2004.

The striker, now 36, turned to drink as he tried to battle the heartbreak with Inter's medical staff even covering for him.

He said: “Only I know how much I suffered. The death of my father left me with this huge void, I felt very lonely. After his death everything got worse, because I isolated myself.

“I was alone in Italy, sad and depressed, and then I started drinking. I only felt happy when I was drinking, I'd do it every night. I drank everything I could get my hands on: wine, whiskey, vodka, beer. Lots of beer.

“I didn't stop drinking and in the end I had to leave Inter. I didn't know how to hide it, I arrived drunk in the morning for training sessions. I always showed up, even if I was completely drunk and the medical staff had to take me to sleep in the infirmary.

“Inter told the press I just had muscular problems. I later realised that the problem was the people around me, friends who did nothing but take me to parties with women and alcohol, without thinking about anything.

“By going back to Brazil I gave up millions, but I gained happiness.”

 

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