“People think I was mad to forgo that lavish contract I had, but the truth is money is not enough to substitute family affections. I gave up a lot of millions, but I found happiness,” the striker said.

Adriano scored 48 goals in 123 appearances for the Milan club, but experienced severe discipline problems – left the team without warning, received unnecessary red cards, argued with the management and couldn’t handle his fluxuating weight. The Brazilian was loaned to other clubs, but always returned to San Siro.

“I used to show up drunk every day [at Inter]. I didn’t sleep out of fear I would be late, but in the end I showed up in dire conditions anyway and they would send me to sleep, while they told journalists I had a muscle problem,” he said.

In 2008 coach Roberto Mancini had enough and Adriano was sent away from the club. The six months at Sao Paulo to reignite his career didn’t work, however.

“I thought I had got over my problems, but I resumed drinking,” he sighed. “I went back [to Inter] because of [Jose] Mourinho, but it was not enough. It was once again parties, women and alcohol… The club was not disposed to accept this situation and gave up trying to rescue me.”

“I am sorry for Mourinho, who even bickered with a few directors hoping to convince them to keep a hold of me,” he added.

Adriano has played 21 games for Flamenco this season, scoring 13 goals. He’s on a one-year deal with the club where he started his career back in 2000, so the possibility that he’ll be seen in European football again still exists.