By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo and former Seleção striker Adriano could call time on his checkered career after yet another setback in his quest to return to fitness and kick his infamous party habits. Having been awarded a contract by the Rubro-Negro last month based on performance, O Inperador (The Emperor) has been battling the bulge that consumption has forced upon his frame.
Flamengo retained the right to rescind the player’s contract after three breaches of discipline. On Saturday morning he missed training after allegedly being spotted in a nightclub in Barra da Tijuca.
Yet rather than wield the axe, Flamengo are attempting to rehabilitate Adriano. The international striker remains a hit the Flamenguistas after firing the club to the 2009 title.
He is now supposedly speaking with a psychologist hired by the club to battle his demons, but with his Flamengo debut still appearing to be someway over the horizon, reports suggest he may hang up his boots for pulling on his beloved Flamengo shirt again.
Flamengo are currently ranked a lowly eleventh in the national Brasileirão tournament, highlighted by a classico loss to Fluminense last weekend. In round 28 they will face twelfth-ranked Bahia tonight at 9PM in the Engenhão Stadium.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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