Adriano was one of the best strikers around at his time, although injuries stopped his career really flourishing, and he was very nearly part of Manchester City's revolution, if it wasn't for Jose Mourinho.
It's as damning indicment as is possible that Adriano's career is best known for incredible stats on 'Pro Evolution Soccer 6' where the Emporer could score from pretty much everywhere.
It's not that the former Inter Milan striker didn't live up to the video game hype, as many players have been unable to throughout their careers, but the Brazilian suffered too many injuries to live up to the potential he showed.
The man with 99 shot power, according to PES, scored 47 goals in 115 appearances for the Nerazzuri but his career rathere petered out, even if it didn't officially end until 2016.
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Adriano's career might have taken a very different direction in 2008 though. The Brazilian revealed that he had the chance to move to Manchester City at the very start of their revolution.
Speaking to DAZN he claimed that City wanted him when Sheikh Mansour took over at the club but Jose Mourinho stopped him. Adriano said:
"When he [Mourinho] arrived I was going to go to Manchester City but he asked not to give up.
"He wanted to see me and talk to me was a very important coach for me.
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"In those years, in addition to the City, I was looking for Chelsea, in the period in which I left Parma but chose Inter.
"And then, a few months later, Real Madrid were also looking at me, but I decided against going there."
Adriano's revelation that he could have joined Chelsea when he left Parma is also interesting as he left the Italian side in 2004, when Mourinho took over at Chelsea.
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Clearly the former Real Madrid boss had an interest in working with the Brazilian for quite some time, so it's no wonder he wouldn't let him go to City.
The Premier League side ended up signing two Brazilian forwards in the summer of 2008 with both Robinho and Jo joining the club.
He went on to score seven goals in all competitions for Inter in 2008/09 before finally leaving the club for Flamengo at the end of the season.
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Life could have been very different for the ultimate PES footballer.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:Β Manchester City, Football News, Serie A, PES, English Football, Italian Football, Pro Evo, Premier League, Adriano, Inter