Leo Moura: Adriano has wasted career, but he’s happy

Former Brazil international Adriano has wasted a significant portion of his career, but at least he’s happy, says former team-mate Leonardo Moura.

The 2004 Copa America winner hit 27 goals in 48 matches for the Selecao and was once considered the world’s finest striker, before his career ground to halt due to personal issues.

And Moura, who played with the Adraino at Flameno in 2009, has lamented the early demise of a career that promised so much more.

"He's living the way he chose to live, and he's happy with his lot,” Moura said.

“In my opinion, it’s a great a waste. He could be playing in a big club. But he’s a different sort of guy, and exceptional person, though I believe he misses it. He needs to find the willpower inside him to play again.

The untimely death of his father in 2004 has largely been cited as the beginning of Adriano’s downfall. He has battled bouts of depression and alcoholism ever since.

In 2009, as his time with Inter came to an end, coach Jose Mourinho was among a number of high-profile figures voicing their concerns for his wellbeing.

“I am sad, not angry,” said Mourinho after failing to get the Emperor back on track in Serie A. “I am concerned for the person rather than the player.”

The 34-year-old former Inter, Flamengo and Roma forward has managed just six appearances since leaving Corinthians in 2012, four for Atletio-PR and, most recently, two for Miami United in the USA.

"He has such an open heart, but he does things that harm himself,” continued Moura. 

“He wants to help everybody and sometimes people take advantage of this good will. He really should to be playing today because he is the sort of player that Brazilian football is really missing. We don’t have another no.9 on his level.”

Last week, Adriano said via social media that he was now ‘too overweight’ to return to playing.