Adriano to temporarily quit football

[Hlebio]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7993225.stm

Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano is to take a break from football and "rethink his career".

"I've lost the happiness of playing," he told reporters on Thursday. "I wouldn't like to go back to Italy, I want to live in peace here in Brazil."

Adriano, 27, said he could not say how long he would stay away from the game.

"I don't know if I'm going to stay for one, two or three months without playing," said the former Flamengo star. "I'm going to rethink my career."

"I have nothing against Inter, I just did not like living in Italy. I felt pressured. A lot of people will not understand. It is a bad situation, not easy at all, but it is a choice."

Asked whether he could appear with a Brazilian club, Adriano said the only possibility would be Flamengo.

"If I play in Brazil, it will be for Flamengo. Otherwise, my grandmother would kill me," he joked.

He also denies the drug/alcohol rumours.

Very sad indeed. He was such a beast at Parma and in the very early stages of his Inter career. Definitely could have been a very special player IMO. Hope he sorts it out and returns. Apparently he's having a hard time getting over a break-up with his girlfriend.