Adriano Imperador said goodbye to football with goals and a lot of emotion. This Sunday (15/12), at Maracanã, the 42-year-old striker officially hung up his boots in a game between Flamengo icons and friends who played in Italy. Each half lasted 40 minutes. Adriano played the first for Flamengo, 30 minutes of the second for the “Italian combine” and the last ten minutes for Fla.
The Emperor scored two goals, both in the second half: one by the “Italian team”, with a header, and one by Flamengo, with a penalty, which set the score at 4-3 for Fla.
A touching moment happened in the 30th minute of the second half, when the game stopped for a tribute to Adriano, who was in the “Italian combine”. The voice of Adriano’s father, Almir Ribeiro, who died in 2004, was recreated by artificial intelligence and placed in Maracanã. In the message, he was asked to replace his Flamengo shirt to end his career. Adriano’s mother, Rosilda Ribeiro, entered the field and delivered the piece.
MORE: How was the Brasileirão artillery?
How was the tribute to Adriano with artificial intelligence?
“EVEN A HORSE CAN’T HANDLE IT” 🥹
With the help of Artificial Intelligence, Mr. Almir, Adriano’s father, was recreated as a beautiful tribute to the Emperor in his farewell game at Maracanã.
— ge (@geglobo)
How were the goals in Adriano Imperador’s farewell game?
-
Goal from Combined Italiano – Adrianinho, son of Adriano – Flamengo 0 x 1 Combined Italiano
Son of fish…
Adrianinho scores a goal for Adriano and scores the first as he bid farewell to his father!
— ge (@geglobo)
-
Flamengo goal – Athirson – Flamengo 1 x 1 Italian Combination
THE ONLY HISTORY FOUNDER TO SCORE A HAT-TRICK IN THE MARACANÃ!
Athirson leaves his when he says goodbye to Adriano. ⚽
— ge (@geglobo)
-
Flamengo Goal – Romário – Flamengo 2 x 1 Italian Combination
THE SHORTY IS ALWAYS IN THE RIGHT PLACE!
Djalminha makes a spectacular pass to Athirson, who dominates and leaves Romário free to score the goal as Adriano farewell!
— ge (@geglobo)
-
Goal from Italian Combination – Adriano – Flamengo 2 x 2 Italian Combination
THE EMPEROR HAS RETURNED!
Adriano scores with a header in his farewell game! YOU HAD TO HAVE HIS! ⚽
— ge (@geglobo)
-
Flamengo Goal – Adriano – Flamengo 4 x 3 Italian Combination
“In front of his fans and with the shirt he loves”
Adriano’s last goal couldn’t be any different: at Maracanã and with the Flamengo shirt!
— ge (@geglobo)
MORE: Who did Flamengo hire for 2025? Negotiations, reinforcements and market exits
What was Adriano’s last team?
Adriano stopped playing professionally in 2016, when he briefly played for Miami United, in the United States Fourth Division, participating in just two games. At the time, the player was 33 years old and was returning to the field after a two-year hiatus, after leaving Athletico.
Throughout his career, the Emperor played for Flamengo, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Parma, Roma, São Paulo, Corinthians, Athletico and Miami United.
