What's your true passion in life? Travel, Friends, Your Job, Family, Soccer? For us, it's travel. It's the thrill of new experiences and meeting new people. Going on life's adventures at home and overseas.

Last year, we fell in love with Brazil. The people, the food, the landscape and of course Brazilians' crazy passion for soccer. We caught up with international soccer star Adriano Ribeiro, otherwise known as Adriano. He shared his passions with us - Soccer and of course his homeland, Brazil.

The twenty-five year old Adriano currently plays for Italian team, Inter-Milan as a striker, but is on loan to Brazilian team Sao Paulo. Read on!

What was it like growing up in Brazil? By all accounts, you grew up in one of Rio's favelas and played for Rio's Club Flamengo, which is in a middle class neighborhood? There's so much mention in the press about the huge disparity in Brazil between rich and poor--did you feel that growing up?

I was born in Vila Cruzeiro, which is a very poor location in Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan area. But even living there, with a lot of problems around, I was a normal kid. I played with some friends, went to school, etc. Flamengo's club is located exactly in a middle class neighborhood. Of course I could feel the difference when moving from my favela to the club every day, but just in a logistic perspective.

Because in a social point of view, I already knew and saw a lot of workers moving weekly to the richest city area to work hard and earn some money. So, I didn't feel bad about that. It was (and it still is) the reality.

Did you finish school? Unfortunately not. In the world of soccer, this is a very difficult thing to happen. The schedule is tough, regarding training sessions, trips and competitions.

How many languages do you speak? Portuguese and Italian.

How many brothers and sisters do you have? What about extended family? I have one brother (7 years old), seven aunts, four uncles, my grandmother and some cousins.

What was your worst experience as a child? Some violent moments I saw in the favela where I lived.

What was your best experience growing up in Brazil? The friendship I had with other boys when playing with them in the favela.

What was the most important lesson your father taught you? He really didn't appreciate alcoholic beverages. So, I grew up with good health and fitness conditions which helped me to become a player.

What is the most important lesson your mother taught you? To be always a humble person.

What legacy do you want to leave to your son as a man? I would like to leave him a message of focusing on the main goals he wants in his life and to fight for them.

Obviously women love you, so what do you find the most beautiful in a woman? Brazilian men (specially "Cariocas" - people who were born in Rio de Janeiro) really like to see Brazilian women's bodies. You know... small swiming suits ("bikinis"). I would include myself on that! ...laugh...

Do you think you understand women very well? Well, this is a very difficult question... women are very difficult to understand! I think I'm learning, but it's not that easy!

Since you're in your twenties, what's your theory about love at this prime of your life? Have you figured it all out yet? I still haven't found a woman I can call "my love". But about the word "love", my mother is the person who personalizes this feeling deep in my heart.

We read that you have a tatoo that says "Jesus walks with me," what inspired that? That's something Iike a "mantra" my grandmother always said, since I was a child.

What music would you compare to the rhythm of soccer? I personally like to hear hip hop as well, before the matches. But for the Brazilians, samba inspires us a lot...

In your opinion, is it the 'samba culture' of Brazil that makes Brazilian players so unique and enjoyable to watch? I think so. Brazilians are a happy people. If you are happy, you sing and dance... we also like very much to play soccer. So, when you mix that, we try to play as happy people, having fun and moving as a dancers.

We read that Zico was your inspiration as a child? What was it about him that inspired you? I grew up in Flamengo club and Zico is still the biggest idol there. So, a lot of other boys learned how to admire him, as a professional soccer player and a citizen. And when you watch some of the goals he scored in the past, you understand why he is such a big star. He was a great player!

Why is soccer so deeply rooted in Brazilian culture? I really don't know how to explain that. The only thing I know is soccer is something very strong in the Brazilian culture. For sure the young boys who live in poor areas look for a way out through soccer. In a country like Brazil, where we have a bad education system and very few opportunities, soccer is the shortest way to be a respectful citizen with some chance to improve our families' life conditions, financially speaking.

Now that you are a professional player in Italy, are you still able to relate to the sensation of excitement when you first started out playing? Is the love always the same? You should have this sensation inside forever. But I also should admit things change a little bit. When you become a professional player, you get into a big business with a lot of responsibilities and pressure. People (fans and sport directors) are expecting to see you performing amazing anytime... and it's not like that! Players are human beings and sometimes they fail as well.

If soccer wasn't your profession, what would you have liked to have been? I have no idea. I can't imagine my life without soccer.

What do you love most about your country? About representing your country? I like the people of my country, and I think the happiness and the way Brazilians treat each other is something beautiful, even in a poor country with a lot of problems, like ours.

What is it that you miss the most about Brazil when you're away during the Italian Championship season? My family.

 

In your opinion, would you say that Italy and Brazil are similar as cultures in any way? There are some very similar points, specially because of the people. I could consider Brazil and Italy countries very close each other. Their citizens are open, they like to talk, to be in touch.

Why do you think Brazilian culture has such a worldwide appeal? I don't know...People are very kind, always with a smile in their faces, even with a lot of difficulties around. Brazilians definetely enjoy the life!

If you had to describe Brazil in only one word, what would it be? Happiness.

If you could suggest one thing to experience while visiting Brazil, what would it be? Why? Brazil is such a big country it's difficult to say. But I think visiting the Amazon Rain forest and Rio de Janeiro (during the Carnival!) anyone could feel a bit a part of Brazil.

What's your favorite place/country to visit? (not Brazil). I like the Sardinia Island, in Italy.

Name 3 of your favorite hobbies that you do offseason? When I'm not playing I like to listen to music, watch DVD movies and play electronic games.

Favorite musicians or type of music. I like hip hop very much. I also listen to "pagode" (a typical kind of samba, from Rio de Janeiro).

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Adriano Ribeiro.