Adriano: champion and top scorer of the CONMEBOL Copa América
2021-05-12
Adriano Leite Ribeiro, known worldwide as Adriano, is one of the strikers who will be remembered by every football lover. The «Emperor» (nickname he has earned) has power, efficiency and a sublime finishing ability.
The Brazilian player was one of the main protagonists of the 2004 CONMEBOL Copa América, held in Peru. He became the champion and top scorer, after scoring seven goals in six games. This was a dream tournament for Adriano, since he achieved a hat-trick against Costa Rica and a double against Mexico national team. Besides, he managed to score a goal in semifinals against Uruguay national team and a goal in the final, against Argentina.
Without a doubt, the most remembered goal celebration by the ‘Emperor’ in that edition of the continental tournament, was in the final. In the third minute of extra time at the National Stadium of Lima, Argentina national team was about to become the champion, after 11 years. However, it wasn’t expected that the lethal striker would come into the scene and even the score at 2-2, which led the match to be decided by penalty shootout. As it is known, the rest was history.
Adriano is not only an explosive and fast striker, despite his large body frame, but also an extraordinary player who finished his career in the ‘Verdeamarela’, with 27 goals in 48 games played.