(ANSA) - Rio de
Janeiro, December 31 - Troubled Inter and Brazil striker Adriano crashed his car
in Rio early on Monday but was unhurt, Brazilian media reported.
Adriano, 25, lost control of his Audi TT and hit a
guard-rail before clattering into three other vehicles, according to reports. No
one was hurt.
The Inter Milan striker is on loan to Brazilian
giants Sao Paulo for six months to recover physical and mental sharpness.
Sao Paulo said Adriano's playboy lifestyle was OK
with them because the player is ''still on holiday,'' but things would have to
change when the season starts next month.
The striker's stay in Rio has already sparked
controversy. Ten days ago he was pictured holding a beer bottle at a pop
concert.
Adriano's career has taken a nosedive in the last
year or so and he recently admitted he had been depressed and drinking too much.
Inter sees the loan as Adriano's chance of regaining
his scoring touch and eventually reclaiming a starting place in the Italian
champions' striker-heavy line-up.
Adriano has had a disappointing two seasons at Inter
and fallen down the pecking order behind Sweden's Zlatan Ibramihovic,
Argentina's Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz, and latest addition David Suazo of
Honduras.
He was not even named in the squad for this season's
Champions League campaign.
Adriano joined Inter in 2001 but was loaned to Parma
and then Fiorentina in the following three seasons.
He has played 99 times for Inter, scoring 43 goals.
But he only found the net five times last season.
His work ethic was questioned amid reports of a
disco-going lifestyle and late-night complaints from neighbors.
For Brazil, he has an amazing strike rate of 25 goals
in 36 appearances.
But has played for his country only once since the
2006 World Cup.
