The reason why it was a bad idea to show a video of his father to Adriano during his farewell

Río de Janeiro witnessed an unforgettable moment this Sunday as Adriano Leite Ribeiro, globally known as "The Emperor," officially retired from football. The farewell match, a friendly between Flamengo and Amigos da Italia, brought together sporting legends and over 22,000 fans at the iconic Maracanã stadium. However, the highlight of the event was a deeply emotional tribute: a video featuring Adriano’s late father, whose voice was recreated using artificial intelligence.

The day began with Adriano visibly moved. Before the match, he shared his joy at reuniting with former teammates. “I’m a very emotional person. God gave me all of this. After so long, seeing my friends like this… They know my journey. I’m trembling because I still haven’t processed it. My family is here,” he said.

A Heartfelt Tribute to a Father's Legacy

Among the many tributes, none was as poignant as the video featuring Adriano's father. Thanks to artificial intelligence, organizers symbolically revived the voice of the man who had profoundly influenced Adriano's life and career. The video played on the stadium’s giant screens, leaving Adriano in tears at the center of the pitch, a moment that deeply moved everyone in attendance.

Adriano had previously opened up about the impact of his father’s death in a heartfelt letter for The Players’ Tribune. “When I played football, I played for my family. So when my father died, football was never the same,” he wrote. He also revealed how this loss affected his life, saying, “Not all injuries are physical. I have a hole in my ankle and another in my soul that football left behind.”

Family and Friends on the Field

Adriano’s entrance onto the field was a family affair. Accompanied by his mother, grandmother, and other relatives, they shared in every emotional tribute. His grandmother kicked off the match, and his son, Adrianinho, scored the opening goal for Amigos da Italia, bringing Adriano to tears once again.

The match itself was a celebration of football’s golden years. Adriano played one half for each team, scoring a goal for both sides, including a decisive penalty in the final minutes. Flamengo emerged victorious, defeating Amigos da Italia 4-3 in a game filled with nostalgia and camaraderie.

The Stars Align to Honor the Emperor

The Maracanã was graced by legendary figures paying tribute to Adriano. On the Italian side, World Cup champions Ronaldo and Dida joined former teammates Iván Ramiro Córdoba and Nicolás Burdisso. Representing Flamengo, icons like Romário, Zinho, Edilson, and coach Zico took part in honoring the Emperor.

Adriano’s farewell came eight years after his last professional match in 2016 with Miami United. In the years since, he has focused on personal projects and shared his struggles through his autobiography Adriano, My Greatest Fear, which details his battles with depression, alcohol, and his enduring connection to Vila Cruzeiro, the favela he calls home.

“This is about reuniting with my friends. They are my family. I can’t believe it. Being back on the field with them makes me truly happy,” Adriano said as the event concluded.

Key Moments from Adriano’s Farewell:

• Adriano officially retired in a friendly match between Flamengo and Amigos da Italia, attended by over 22,000 fans at the Maracanã.
• A video featuring the AI-recreated voice of his late father left Adriano and the crowd deeply moved.
• Adriano played for both teams, scoring two goals, including a decisive penalty. Flamengo won the match 4-3.
• Family members, including his son and grandmother, played symbolic roles during the event.
• Legendary players like Ronaldo, Romário, and Zico joined the farewell to honor one of Brazil’s most iconic strikers.