The Emperor is back! Adriano scores a stunner in Mexico; watch video | OneFootball

Flamengo idol Adriano Imperador took part in a friendly match last weekend

The Brazil Football Legends team played an exhibition match last Sunday (19) at the Azteca Stadium against Mexico. The home side ended up winning 3-2, but the stunning goal scored by Adriano Imperador, former Flamengo player, caught the eye and earned applause from the opposing fans.

When the game was still 0-0, Ronaldinho Gaúcho received the ball through the middle, pulled off a beautiful feint, and played the perfect pass to Adriano. Imperador went one-on-one with Mexico’s goalkeeper and delicately chipped it in, in the best ‘Didico style’ of 2009, when he won the Brazilian league title with Flamengo.

SO, DID KAKÁ TAKE INSPIRATION FROM ARRASCAETA?

Later, with the match tied at 1-1, Kaká scored a goal in the finest style of the former attacking midfielder. Bursting down the left, the former AC Milan (ITA) star blew past Rafa Márquez with pace and fired the ball into the back of the net, putting Brazil ahead once again.

In celebration, Kaká copied Arrascaeta’s celebration against Bahia. The 2007 world player of the year made a ‘throwing’ motion, just like the Uruguayan did in the Brasileirão, in tribute to Oscar Schmidt, the basketball legend who passed away on Friday (17). The difference is that the São Paulo academy product did not take off his shirt.

WERE THERE MORE EX-FLAMENGO PLAYERS IN THE MATCH?

Besides Ronaldinho and Adriano Imperador, already mentioned, other former Flamengo players were also part of the Brazil team in the friendly. In goal, Julio Cesar started. In defense, Aldair, winner of the 1987 Brazilian title, also took part. Up front, Didico’s partner was ‘Capetinha’ Edilson, one of the heroes of the 2001 Rio state championship title.

On the bench were also Djalminha and Juninho Paulista, also former Flamengo players. The match was part of the reopening of the legendary Azteca Stadium, Mexico’s main stadium. The venue now has a different name and has been renamed ‘Banorte Stadium’.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.