Adriano plans break from football

Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano said he was taking a break from football to rethink his career, which has been beset with troubles of late.

“I’ve lost the happiness of playing,” he told reporters. “I wouldn’t like to go back to Italy, I want to live in peace here in Brazil. I wasn’t happy in Italy. I don’t know if I’m going to stay for one, two or thee months without playing. I’m going to rethink my career.”

Adriano failed to return to Italy after last week’s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africaâ„¢ qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru, in which he was an unused substitute. On Monday, his agent Gilmar Rinaldo said Adriano had stayed in Brazil because of a private matter and confirmed the player had spent time in the Vila Cruzeiro favela, where he was raised.