Brazilian cult icon Adriano is reduced to tears after a touching AI tribute from his dad - who passed away in 2004 - in farewell exhibition match at the Maracana
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Football cult hero Adriano was gifted a bizarre yet heart-warming message from his father through the power of AI, following his death 20 years ago. Adriano was one of the brightest talents to emerge from one of Brazil's many golden eras in the early 2000s, and had been widely touted for a career at the very height of the game.
![[Adriano's father passed away in 2004 and the player has previously said it contributed to his falling out of love with the game]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/11/93190453-14196851-image-a-72_1734347129107.jpg)
However after looking set to succeed Ronaldo as Brazil's next great world-beating No 9, the passing of his father derailed his career, as he fell out of love with the game. The man himself has spoken openly about how he was consumed by depression, explaining how he went from 'heaven to hell' in the space of just nine days.
![[He played for both Flamemgo and the Friends of Italy side in a farewell game at the Maracana]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/11/93190419-14196851-image-a-74_1734347133256.jpg)
Before long, stories of Adriano's breathtaking goals and dizzying success were replaced by shocking anecdotes of the striker blacking out drunk, missing games and allegedly rubbing shoulders with drug lords as rampant alcoholism took hold. However, an exhibition match in Brazil saw Adriano reduced to tears as a message from his beloved late father was played on the big screens at the iconic Maracana.
![[The game saw a litany of legends play for both sides including World Cup winner Romario]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/11/93190423-14196851-image-a-75_1734347135869.jpg)
"NEM CAVALO AGUENTA" 🥹Com ajuda da Inteligência Artificial, a voz de Sr. Almir, pai de Adriano, foi recriada para uma linda homenagem ao Imperador em seu jogo de despedida no Maracanã. pic.twitter.com/YrajfMDe5p. Cult icon Adriano was left in tears after a message from his dead father was played thanks to the powers of AI.
![[Ronaldo also made an appearance, though he did not take to the field for the farewell match]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/11/93190413-14196851-image-a-76_1734347138968.jpg)
