Adriano involved in fresh controversy

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian striker Adriano, who last week promised to turn over a new leaf and get his career back on the rails, has landed in fresh controversy after being photographed at a pop concert holding a can of beer.

Brazilian newspapers Estado de Sao Paulo, O Dia and Lance all published the photographs of the player, which they said were taken on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro.

AC Milan's injury-prone striker Ronaldo also appeared in the pictures.

Adriano last week joined Brazilian champion Sao Paulo on loan from Italy's Inter Milan, where he has barely featured in the last two seasons after battling fitness and reported alcohol problems.

On Friday, Adriano, once one of Serie A's most feared strikers, told a news conference that he was determined to get his career back on track and win back his place on the Brazil team.

"I want to make the most of this chance to recover," he said. "Everyone here wants to help me. Now it just depends on me."

Adriano has been undergoing a fitness and psychological recovery program at Sao Paulo's training center for the last month.

Sao Paulo's players are now on holiday and are due to report back on January 7 for the new season.

Sao Paulo director Marco Aurelio Cunha played down the incident.

"We have a pact of confidence with Adriano," he told the Estado de Sao Paulo. "Twenty days of work are not going to be undone by two or three parties."

Ronaldo, who has played one game this season, flew back to Brazil last week to aid his recovery from a calf injury.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said the club would send a trainer to Brazil on Wednesday to help him.

Agencies

(China Daily 12/26/2007 page24)