Adriano keen to stay at Roma

Roma striker Adriano Leite Ribeiro says that he is eager to remain with the Serie A club, despite a poor start to the 2010-11 season.

The former Inter Milan striker has made just three appearances for his club this term, featuring twice in the league and once in the UEFA Champions League, and has largely been frozen out by manager Claudio Ranieri.

The 28-year-old has been urged by his compatriot and former Brazil international striker Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima (‘Ronaldo’) to join him at Corinthians in their homeland.

Adriano had been strongly linked with making a move to that club when the transfer window opens in January, but he is keen to fight for his place in the Roma first team, and wants to stay in Italy for the time being.

He told publication Extra that: “I don’t want to leave Roma like I did at Inter, but if it was down to me I would go back to Brazil. However, there has to be an agreement between the clubs, or I will stay here until 2013. It’s true that Ronaldo called me,
but I told him I had a contract here until 2013. I want to return to playing. I am well physically, but I don’t know if I am in the coach’s plans.” 

Before he moved to Roma in the summer, Adriano forged a career as one of the most feared strikers in world football.

In 357 games in total in his club career, he has netted 165 goals with clubs including Inter, Fiorentina, Parma, and Flamengo.

He has won four Serie A titles, two Italian Super Cups, two Italian Cups, two Rio State Championships in Brazil, one Brazilian Champions’ Cup and the Brazilian Serie A.

With the Brazil national team, he has lifted one Copa America ― in 2004, where he was also voted the best player of the tournament.