Adriano's ex-girlfriend Joana Machado has broken her silence over the Inter Milan striker's latest bout of depression. "Adriano has lost himself and needs to find his way back, but I no longer have the strength to take care of him," Machado told O Dia.

"I went there several times to look for him, as his mother was worried and asked me to help out. Adriano is not on drugs, his only vice is beer, but who doesn't like to drink a beer?

"At the start our relationship was great fun, but leaving my two children behind to come live with him in Milan was the craziest thing I've ever done for him. Adriano did nothing for me in return and disrespected me."

The split reportedly happened when Adriano arrived in Rio last week for international duty and held a party in his apartment, inviting several models but not Machado.

"Adriano is a 27-year-old child and I can't look after him, I already have two kids of my own.

"He had everything to be happy - money, a wonderful family - but he only feels 'normal' when he's in the favelas.

"He likes to walk there barefoot and fly kites with the local kids. It's where he is not L'Imperatore."

The latest speculation in the Brazilian press is that Adriano intends to hang up his boots for good.