Adriano had four prolific seasons in Italy with Italian clubs Parma and Inter Milan, being considered one of the best strikers in the world during this time and earning the nickname L'Imperatore ("the Emperor").

He was a key figure in Inter's 2005–06 Scudetto win before his career was, however, marked by inconsistency and a decline in his performances which coincided with the death of his father.

In the absence of Ronaldo, he led Brazil to the 2004 Copa América, receiving the Golden Boot as the competition's leading scorer with seven goals.

He also won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup with Brazil, receiving the Golden Boot Award as the competition's leading scorer with five goals.

Before the 2006 World Cup he was part of Brazil's much-vaunted "magic quartet" of offensive players alongside Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká, which ultimately was not successful at the tournament.

[14] Adriano returned to the San Siro in January 2004 on a 4+1⁄2-year contract, for about €23.4 million[nb 1][16] and scored a total of 12 goals in the rest of 2003–04 season.

[21] On 16 November 2007, Inter owner Massimo Moratti sent Adriano on unpaid leave to his native Brazil for the second time in eighteen months, where he attended São Paulo's training center, due to his poor physical condition and a past battle with alcoholism.

"[24] On 10 December, Inter technical director Marco Branca said that Adriano was expected to rejoin the team at the start of the new year.

"[25] Inter finalized a deal on 19 December to loan Adriano to São Paulo for the remainder of the 2007–08 season to allow him to compete in the 2008 Copa Libertadores.

[26] Adriano celebrated his competitive debut with São Paulo by scoring both goals in their 2–1 victory over Guaratinguetá on the opening day of the 2008 Paulista tournament.

[27] He was fined by São Paulo on 29 February for arriving 30  minutes late for training, then leaving early and exchanging words with a photographer.

"[28] São Paulo sporting director Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva announced on 17 June that Adriano was returning to Inter ahead of schedule.

On 31 January 2010, Adriano scored his second hat-trick since his return, this time in a 5–3 comeback win in the Fla-Flu derby against rivals Fluminense in the 2010 Rio de Janeiro State League.

[citation needed] On 28 January 2016, Adriano signed a contract with Miami United of the National Premier Soccer League.

[citation needed] Adriano made his international debut for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia on 15 November 2000 at the age of 18.

[46] Adriano was called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, forming part of Brazil's highly publicized "magic quartet" of offensive players alongside Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká.

Despite his two goals, Adriano's World Cup campaign was considered a disappointment, as he managed only five shots all tournament, while Brazil as a whole was unable to find the right mix between defence and attack, ultimately being eliminated in the quarter-finals by France.

[47] After the disappointing World Cup, Adriano's international career declined due to a series of poor club performances and personal problems.

Adriano has featured once for Brazil under Dunga's regime since the conclusion of the World Cup, as a halftime substitute during a 2–0 friendly loss to Portugal on 6 February 2007.

In 2008, Adriano finally regained his form during his stint at São Paulo FC and earned a recall to the national team.

[48] However, Adriano was one of the two players dropped from the final 23-men squad by coach Dunga,[49][50] along with Carlos Eduardo (who had replaced an injured Elano against Ireland).

[57][58] He was also a strong forward, with an eye for goal, and an immensely powerful striker of the ball with his left foot,[59][60] as well as was an accurate free-kick taker;[59][61] he was also effective in the air,[59][62] and had the ability to link-up with his teammates and provide assists.

[66][67] Despite his natural talent, Adriano's consistency, character, fitness, and work-rate were brought into question after the death of his father; moreover, his struggles with depression and alcoholism, combined with his hedonistic and turbulent lifestyle off the pitch, as well as his personal troubles, injury struggles, and lack of discipline in training, also contributed to his significant weight gain as his career progressed.

[71] In November 2014, a judge in Rio de Janeiro cleared Adriano of charges of drug trafficking which had first been alleged in 2010, due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

[73] On 31 October 2024, an online video that had gone viral showed Adriano heavily intoxicated and stumbling on the streets of one of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro.