Adriano vows to regain Brazil place
Reuters - Thursday 31 March 2011, 20:37
SAO PAULO - Once-prolific striker
Adriano, who has not scored a goal for almost a year, set
himself the task on Thursday of regaining his Brazil place for
the 2014 World Cup.
"My objective is to return to the national team. I'm certain
I can do it," the 29-year-old said at his official presentation
as a Corinthians player.
The former Inter Milan striker signed for Corinthians until
June 2012 after leaving AS Roma where he played little and
failed to score during an injury-plagued season.
Adriano is recovering from a shoulder injury and has no set
time for a comeback though he is aiming for the start of the
Brazilian championship which begins at the end of May.
Having begun his career at Flamengo, he had hoped to return
to the club he helped win the Brazilian championship in 2009,
scoring 19 goals.
Unwanted by Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Adriano was
persuaded by retired former international team mate Ronaldo that
Corinthians was a good choice.
"Flamengo is a part of my life, I'm a bit sad, but today I'm
very happy at Corinthians. I can't wait to play again," he said.
Adriano, nicknamed the Emperor in Italy, will be looking to
regain the form that once made him a feared striker in Serie A
and won him nearly 50 caps for Brazil.
He said he had put behind him off-field problems including a
love of partying and a drinking habit that led to his premature
departure from Inter Milan in April 2009.
"The problem I had was a long time ago, I don't have that
any more. I don't escape from the things I did, I accept my
responsibility," Adriano said.