So your favourite Churrascaria King, Adriano, wants you to know that he never used drugs in his life and is annoyed that people are throwing all these unjust accusations at him! Relax, mano… tudo é bom. You know that Senhor Mourinho still keeps your file at home and occasionally sifts through it when he’s not on Skype with Z-Ibracadabra!
“I’ve never used drugs – nothing was ever proven. Suddenly, because I live in the slum, people associate me with it,” he said.
His fiancee, Joana Machado, who made a big fuss about finding him with other Flamengo players in the slum in the wee hours of the morning, was also involved in her own controversy known in Brazil as “episódio Chatuba”. Said Adri : “She was not wrong and she did not assault me. If the person likes you, she wants to take care of you. She was afraid because I did not arrive on the time that was determined.”
So much emotion… havia tanto amor! Even King Churrascaria himself, Adriano, had to choke back his tears after the fans came out to show their support following Flamengo’s win of the Brasileirao Title on Sunday. “I can hardly believe it…I’m remembering all I went through, I don’t even have strength left to celebrate,” said Adriano. “Really, this is a dream, to be a champion again and, above all, to be happy.”
Flamengo came back from a goal down to defeat Gremio 2-1 with goals from David and Ronaldo Angelim. It took 17 years, pessoas... that’s older than Iker Munain’s entire age.
More than 100,000 fans went crazy at the Maracana – and truth be told, they stole the show. Mengao are very lucky to have some of the most creative fans. These people should be on Project Runway or something. From Barack’s Bro to a dude who looks like a cross between P.Diddy and Flava Flav, they pulled out all the stops to make the finale an occasion to remember!!
Anyway, Adriano has not ruled out a return to Europe next season but he declared that his family has been instrumental in his success at Flamengo. “I’ve had a lot of proposals, I’m not going to lie to anyone about that,” he said. “But, certainly, what’s important to me today and was always in first place is my happiness. Everything I do from here on will be well thought through,” he said.
This Flamengo victory reminds me of our amiga, Ana, who is now back in Brazil for the holidays. “Why do you support Sao Paulo? Only geeks support Sao Paulo. Like the fat, white men who wear ties. I love Flamengo… Flamengo is my team!” she once declared. Yes, but we don’t have Churrasco Kings like Adriano and neither do we need to hit every samba school in the nation!
Anyway, the most supported club in Brazil are now one match away from their first Brasileirao title since 1992. After goals from Zé Roberto and Léo Moura in yesterday’s own clasico against Corinthians, they only need to beat Gremio next weekend to secure the trophy. Ah, President Lula must be crying but este é o futebol. Check out the fans below who were all excited about welcoming home their heroes at the airport!
via Globo
Ah, flip flops... you can’t get any more Brazilian than that! De qualquer maneira, there’s been some confusion over at the Flamengo training camp. Apparently, their black slippers are so similiar that everyone ends up wearing the wrong pair after training. The only way around the problem is to place a sticker with players’ shirt number on each pair. That way, everyone goes home happy. Seriously though… did they all decide one day to go shopping for the exact same pair of black slippers?
Interestingly, Adriano doesn’t need stickers to label his flip-flops – his is the only white pair in the whole bunch!
via Globo
What a miracle! Someone actually thinks that Joel Santana speaks good English… (!!!!) but then again, she was his ‘official translator’ at the Confederations Cup – so you can excuse her.
Yes, meet Desiree Queiroz, whose father Tita once played for Vasco, Flamengo and the selecao. She’s probably the only one in Brazil who thinks Joel Santana’s English is audible and good.
“I was very happy to see Joel speaking English at all interviews, the people wanted (to hear him speak it) and he (picked it up),” she said.
“Joel (did his) job with great honor and hard work. During the Confederations Cup, he showed that he was the best person for the job. Fans loved and believed in Joel. The press was very pleased with the work that the technical committee did. Anyone who witnessed the departure saw that there was a big change and it was a beautiful game to watch.”
Photo via globo
Adriano aka the Favela and Barbecue King has been wearing jerseys with the numbers 29, 27, 92, 90 and 100 since his return to Flamengo in April. But from today, he’ll finally get to wear the all-important number 9 shirt after an Internet poll was conducted among the club’s fans. Well, he can wear #9 at Flamengo but the prospect of wearing the same shirt under Dunga… impossível!
In other news, Flamengo and Corinthians are slated to play a friendly match in Palestine in September as a peace initiative promoted by the Brazilian government. Well, you know Lula. All he needs to do is to send a Brazilian player to various countries and everything will be solved. Oh, if only it were that easy!
Barbecue king, Adriano, celebrated his ‘return’ to football by scoring in Flamengo’s 2-1 victory over Atlético-PR yesterday. To be quite honest, even our 2 year old cousin would’ve been able to score a goal like that as well. The commentator went delirious – and out of breath. If Adriano hadn’t converted, it would’ve been a disaster.
Anyway, he still has time to practise his shots. After all, he ain’t part of Dopey’s Brasil squad that will meet later today.
In other games, Paulo Henrique Lima scored goal for Santos as they thrashed Corinthians 3-1. And finally, three-time defending champions Sao Paulo enjoyed their first win of the tournament by hammering Cruzeiro 3-0 at the Morumbi. Ah – about time, eh tipos?!
Adriano aka Favela StrikeForce has announced his desire to play for the selecao – if Dopey and Jorginho decide to call him up again.
“For friendship’s sake, I hope that Ronaldo gets called up again. The Brazilian selection is important, but I have to work hard to return. I already spoke to Jorginho and Dunga. I will do everything to make that happen as soon as possible. The doors are still open,” he said.
Who is he kidding? Here’s what we really think!
How nice of Julio César to remember his friend, Adriano, during such a glorious occasion! We almost feel bad for making fun of the Fallen Striker.
As soon as the Inter-Siena match ended yesterday (a nice 3-0 scoreline in favour of the Serie A champs) the players did a victory parade around the San Siro. Mancini and Balotelli also wore “Adriano” shirts, which they must’ve taken from the storeroom when no one was looking. And you know Uncle Fester Galliani tried to gatecrash the event but was promptly stopped at the door.
Anyway, when he wasn’t sulking or getting wasted at a samba party, Adriano had his rare moments of brilliance. And although many at Inter may not want to acknowledge it, his goals helped their Serie A campaign this season, especially the one against Milan in February. So the tribute was certainly a nice welcome.
Thunder Thighs Roberto Carlos may be heading back to Flamengo after falling out with his current club, Fenerbahçe. Everyone’s favorite Brazilian uncle asked for a termination after the club failed to pay his wages for five months, according to an O Globo columnist.
Well, if he returns to Brazil, he’ll join Adriano and it’ll just be like watching the veterans! And if you’ve missed Adriano check out these photos of him swimming at a beach in Rio. Please make sure that you have swallowed your lunch properly before clicking.
Anyway, we wonder why it’s Flamengo, of all clubs, though for Uncle Carlos. He started out at Palmeiras - surely he’d like to see the remainder of his career there?
Yes, that photo best describes our thoughts on Adriano at present. So many questions! What has happened to the man in the last few months? And more importantly, why is he enjoying life on the Football Trainwreck path? If wanted to wear Red and Black stripes so badly, he was obviously playing for the wrong club in Milan!
Anyway, Adriano was officially unveiled by Flamengo yesterday and a party – likened to a 4-year-old’s birthday bash – was thrown to welcome him back. He also joins the likes of Fred and Ronaldo in returning to the Brazilian league.
“I always liked to laugh, to play, for fun. That was not happening in Italy. And as soon as I returned to Brazil, it did not take long for me to go back to being happy,” he said at the press conference. “I came to (the place) where I was created. I returned to Brazil to try to regain my happiness. I always wanted to return to Flamengo and there’s nothing better than being with those we like.”
“My grandmother is the one responsible for me being here today. She and my family. When I joined the club today, I felt like I was 7 again. It was the age I started playing here,” he added.
That really is a photo of Adriano on a scooter taken in Rio three years ago. And as we expected, the Emperor of Samba Dancers will be formally announced as a Flamengo player today.
The club’s board has promised a “big party for the arrival of the player” and the marketing department has even arranged activities such as (selling) commemorative shirts, among other products. At about 4pm, Adriano will meet the fans in the stadium – akin to the Ronaldo/Corinthians “introduction party” last year. They had better invite the Vila Isabel or Grande Rio samba schools to the party or all hell will break loose!
Surprisingly, Flamengo’s president, Marcio Braga, seems a little apprehensive about the whole thing, saying news of the striker’s arrival had been more of a ’surprise’ than anything else. However, a “new contract with a sponsor” has ensured that Adriano’s expenses and salary will be covered sufficiently. Ah, how convenient indeed!
It wasn’t just Corinthians who were out celebrating at full force on Saturday. Brazil’s most supported club, Flamengo, even threw in churrasco (barbecue) and samba into the mix! Didn’t you know? Even Michelle Obama was there! On a side note, Kleberson – who scored two goals in Rio’s State Championship – has such an adorable filha!
Oh don’t act surprised! You didn’t expect to find Adriano at a gardening trade show did you?
Anyway, word from Brazil is that Mr. Depressed Striker could join Flamengo as early as next week.
“Adriano’s arrival at the squad could be announced as early as next week. But he (can only) join Flamengo on May 11, because he has yet to resolve some problems with Milan,” said journalist Eric Faria.
“The salary is not right and there’s still something missing financially. But Jose Luis Runco, Flamengo’s doctor, spoke with Adriano’s manager and they outlined plans for the player’s physical recovery – more or less like Ronaldo’s situation,” he added.
Nah, Adriano isn’t back in Milan. That’s a photo of him looking muito feliz in February. He’s probably enjoying the Rio heat now with a couple of caipirinhas.
Anyway, Striker of the Year is still in the process of sorting out his messy situation with Inter Milan. His agent now says that the matter will be sorted out within the week.
“I’ll know if I have to return to Italy (tomorrow). Depending on what happens, the problem can (be) resolved without having to travel. Or else, I’ll have to decide whether to go to Italy tomorrow or even over the weekend,” said Adriano’s agent, Gilmar Rinaldi.
“It is difficult to say anything. There was no news on Wednesday. Everything depends on what happens tomorrow (Thursday),” he concluded.
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