Adriano Leite Ribeiro Biography | Adriano Leite Ribeiro News

Inter return
He returned to the San Siro in 2004 on a 4-year contract and scored a total of 15 goals in his 16 appearances during the '04-05 season. From July 11, 2004 through June 25, 2005, Adriano was in peak form as he scored an impressive total of 40 goals in both domestic and international competitions. In September 2005, Inter rewarded him for his efforts with an improved contract running until June 30, 2010.

Since signing the new deal, however, Adriano's future at Inter has suffered due to poor performances in the past three seasons, fueled by questions and speculation regarding his work ethic, which was called into question when he was twice caught partying at nightclubs during the '06-07 campaign. Brazilian coach Dunga did not call Adriano up for a friendly against Ecuador on October 10, 2006, and called for him to "change his behavior" and "focus on football". On February 18, 2007, Adriano skipped a team practice due to effects from a lengthy celebration of his birthday the night before, which led to Inter manager Roberto Mancini benching him for the team's Champions League match against Valencia CF and subsequent Serie A fixture against Calcio Catania.

 São Paulo
On November 16, 2007, Inter owner Massimo Moratti sent Adriano on unpaid leave to his native Brazil for the second time in eighteen months, as he was set to attend São Paulo FC's training center, due to his poor physical condition and a past battle with alcoholism. Though his agent denied Adriano's desire to return to Brazilian club football, Adriano claimed he was willing to leave Inter in the January transfer window in search of regular playing time, with the Italian press stating interest from West Ham United and Manchester City F.C. In December 2007, Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra expressed interest in bringing Adriano to the club during the January transfer window, commenting, "Adriano was a top player, but he lost form when his father died, and he put on weight."  Moratti, however, stated that Adriano would remain with Inter. "I would like him back here in January, as strong and as good as he was."  On December 10, Inter technical director Marco Branca said that Adriano was expected to rejoin the team at the start of the new year. "[The] news has been good. We intend to leave him in peace until the end of the programme and then he will be treated like the other players."

Inter finalized a deal on December 19 to loan Adriano to São Paulo for the remainder of the 2007-08 season in order to allow him to compete in the '07-08 Copa Libertadores. São Paulo fans were soon seen standing in long lines to buy his new number 10 jersey at the team's official merchandise retailer after Adriano was introduced and his shirt was unveiled at a team press conference. Adriano celebrated his competitive debut with São Paulo by scoring both goals in their 2-1 victory over Guaratinguetá on the opening day of the 2008 Paulista tournament.

Adriano was sent off after head butting Santos fullback Domingos on February 10, 2008, and was suspended for two matches after initially risking a suspension of eighteen months. He was fined by São Paulo on February 29 after arriving thirty minutes late for training, then leaving early and exchanging words with a photographer. According to team sporting director Marco Aurelio Cunha, Adriano “left the training ground because he wanted to. The team does not miss him. If he is not happy at São Paulo he is free to go."

On June 17, São Paulo sporting director Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva announced that Adriano was returning to Inter ahead of schedule. "We have a balanced squad and it was better for Adriano to go back, given that we won’t be able to count on him for the rest of the campaign.”

Inter return
He returned to the San Siro in 2004 on a 4-year contract and scored a total of 15 goals in his 16 appearances during the '04-05 season. From July 11, 2004 through June 25, 2005, Adriano was in peak form as he scored an impressive total of 40 goals in both domestic and international competitions. In September 2005, Inter rewarded him for his efforts with an improved contract running until June 30, 2010.

Since signing the new deal, however, Adriano's future at Inter has suffered due to poor performances in the past three seasons, fueled by questions and speculation regarding his work ethic, which was called into question when he was twice caught partying at nightclubs during the '06-07 campaign. Brazilian coach Dunga did not call Adriano up for a friendly against Ecuador on October 10, 2006, and called for him to "change his behavior" and "focus on football". On February 18, 2007, Adriano skipped a team practice due to effects from a lengthy celebration of his birthday the night before, which led to Inter manager Roberto Mancini benching him for the team's Champions League match against Valencia CF and subsequent Serie A fixture against Calcio Catania.

 São Paulo
On November 16, 2007, Inter owner Massimo Moratti sent Adriano on unpaid leave to his native Brazil for the second time in eighteen months, as he was set to attend São Paulo FC's training center, due to his poor physical condition and a past battle with alcoholism. Though his agent denied Adriano's desire to return to Brazilian club football, Adriano claimed he was willing to leave Inter in the January transfer window in search of regular playing time, with the Italian press stating interest from West Ham United and Manchester City F.C. In December 2007, Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra expressed interest in bringing Adriano to the club during the January transfer window, commenting, "Adriano was a top player, but he lost form when his father died, and he put on weight."  Moratti, however, stated that Adriano would remain with Inter. "I would like him back here in January, as strong and as good as he was."  On December 10, Inter technical director Marco Branca said that Adriano was expected to rejoin the team at the start of the new year. "[The] news has been good. We intend to leave him in peace until the end of the programme and then he will be treated like the other players."

Inter finalized a deal on December 19 to loan Adriano to São Paulo for the remainder of the 2007-08 season in order to allow him to compete in the '07-08 Copa Libertadores. São Paulo fans were soon seen standing in long lines to buy his new number 10 jersey at the team's official merchandise retailer after Adriano was introduced and his shirt was unveiled at a team press conference. Adriano celebrated his competitive debut with São Paulo by scoring both goals in their 2-1 victory over Guaratinguetá on the opening day of the 2008 Paulista tournament.

Adriano was sent off after head butting Santos fullback Domingos on February 10, 2008, and was suspended for two matches after initially risking a suspension of eighteen months. He was fined by São Paulo on February 29 after arriving thirty minutes late for training, then leaving early and exchanging words with a photographer. According to team sporting director Marco Aurelio Cunha, Adriano “left the training ground because he wanted to. The team does not miss him. If he is not happy at São Paulo he is free to go."

On June 17, São Paulo sporting director Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva announced that Adriano was returning to Inter ahead of schedule. "We have a balanced squad and it was better for Adriano to go back, given that we won’t be able to count on him for the rest of the campaign.”