RIO DE JANEIRO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- After a 12-day absence from the Flamengo soccer team, Adriano returned to the club on Monday. The striker was accused by the team's vice-president, Marcos Braz, of having relapsed and fallen back into problems with alcohol.
The 12-day absence from Flamengo was due to his participation in Brazil's friendly with Ireland on March 2 in London, England. However, upon returning to Brazil, the player ran into problems with his fiance, causing some to allege that he was depressed and had began to drink heavily once again.
In his first day back with the team, Adriano appeared to be upbeat and in a good mood. In the locker room, the striker joked with his teammates and told them the details of what had happened with his fiance.
Adriano was happy and that it is what is most important. We all really like him. We are here to help him if he needs it, described the team's goalkeeper, Bruno.
We need a happy Adriano. We all thrive off him. It was great to see him in a good mood today despite his recent problems. He appears to be getting over his problems. None of us are aware that he has any sort of problem with alcohol. Many rumors were spread, but I find it hard to believe especially since we are always around each other in team meetings or practices, added the team's fullback, Alvaro.
Back at Flamengo, Adriano will not travel with the rest of the team to Venezuela to face Caracas in the Libertadores Cup on March 10. Visibly out of shape, the athlete will stay behind and attempt to regain his physical condition in order to play against Vasco da Gama on Sunday, March 14.