Post by Taxigirl on Jan 24, 2004 10:15:12 GMT
Adriano has commented on his emotions on his first day back with Inter and looks to fill that gap left in fans’ hearts by Ronaldo.
“It went well,” said the Brazilian who completed his £16m switch on Wednesday. “I hope to work with the team so that I can be ready to play on Sunday.”
The striker had expected to end the season with Parma, but the Nerazzurri’s current poor form pushed the move through early.
Adriano has been handed the Number 10 jersey for his return to the club after starting his Serie A career here in August 2001.
“It is already a great honour for me to wear the Inter shirt,” continued Adriano in an interview with ‘Inter Channel’.
Many have noted that this muscular, pacey Brazilian forward is wearing the same number that first graced Ronaldo’s back when he arrived at the San Siro.
“Ronaldo is a phenomenon, one of the greatest players in the world. I am just starting my career and have so much still to learn.”
However, the 21-year-old does not doubt his own potential after scoring regularly at both Fiorentina and Parma.
“I think that with a lot of hard work both on the field and in training, I can make it to his level.”
Adriano is expected to start from the bench when Inter face Modena this weekend, as he is still recovering from a thigh strain that kept him sidelined for three months.
Meanwhile, the original Ronaldo has now further angered Tifosi by announcing he did not want to sign for Inter in 1997.
“It wasn’t up to me,” he told Spanish radio station ‘Cadena Cope’. “I was very sorry to leave Barcelona as I was happy there.”
“It all happened after I extended my contract, as the President called me and said it was a crazy waste of money. All I could do was accept Inter’s offer.”