Has Adriano been kidnapped?

Has Adriano been kidnapped?#102167

By irons_4_ever - 04 Apr 09, 20:03

- 04 Apr 09, 20:03#102167

Concerns are growing over Adriano, as he is not even answering his mother’s phone calls and there are fears he may have been kidnapped.

The Inter striker did not get on the flight back from international duty in Brazil on Thursday night – something he has already done on numerous occasions in the past.

However, there is a different sensation growing around this incident, as Adriano is not answering calls from his agent or his mother.

Reports are now suggesting it’s possible he may have been kidnapped by one of the many gangs who tend to focus on football figures.

Several stars have seen their loved ones kidnapped in Brazil with the aim of extorting ransom money, such as Robinho and Romario.

Manchester City striker Robinho’s mother Marina Silva de Souza was kidnapped in 2004 by armed gunmen during a barbeque, eventually released after 40 days when he paid up around £50,000.

Former Milan forward Ricardo Oliveira’s sister Maria de Lourdes Silva de Oliveira was taken from her home in 2006 and held for 160 days before police received a tip-off.

The most tragic incident linked with Italian football was that of Kakha Kaladze, whose brother Levan was kidnapped in Georgia in 2001.

The medical student’s body was found in a shallow grave five years later, having apparently been shot one month after he was seized.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... apr4f.html

Jose Mourinho admits he fears for Adriano's safety. “This is not indiscipline or a joke, it is much more serious.”

The striker has missed his flight back from Brazil after international duty in the past, but this time he has not answered calls from his agent or mother either.

There are fears he may have had some sort of breakdown or even been kidnapped by one of the local gangs.

“I don’t think we should talk about this too much. Everyone has understood this is not an easy situation,” commented Mourinho during today’s Press conference.

“We are not talking about a player who has decided to come back a day later, nor is it an issue of missing his flight. We have all understood what’s going on.

“This is not indiscipline or a joke, it is much more serious. The only thing I can do, with sadness and no anger or criticism, is to say nothing.

“We will have to wait and see how this all ends for him, but at this moment in time I am concerned about the man more than the player.”

Adriano has a history of psychological problems and admitted last year he had fallen into a bad crowd, partying the night away because he didn’t want to be alone.

Things had been going well for him recently, though, and he impressed for Brazil on international duty this week.

There was a hint of a problem when he commented he was not sure whether he would be renewing his contract with Inter, which expires in June 2010.

“The best thing is to respect the situation we all know, between moments of hope and the more difficult times,” continued Mourinho.

“Adriano has been very important for this team and was crucial in certain moments. As for the squad now, we have some great strikers and so there won’t be problems because of his absence. Our only concern is for him.”