Adriano: I'm not dead yet!

Adriano has spoken for the first time since going AWOL in Brazil, saying he is alive and well at his mother's home.

The troubled Inter Milan striker failed to return to Italy after a World Cup qualifier against Peru.

Speculation about his whereabouts spread when he decided to stay in his home country to deal with family problems.

Given his previous problems with depression and alcoholism, a report in the Brazilian media incredibly claimed he had died.

"So much has been said about me - I heard that I was dead," a very-much alive Adriano told the Meia Hora newspaper.

"But I am fine and I am at my mother's house with my family.

"I had some problems in Italy recently but I don't want to go into details.

"I can only assure you that it had nothing to do with my break-up with my ex-girlfriend Joana."

Although a storm is expected to gather at Inter when Adriano returns, his mother Rosilda told the O Dia newspaper she was hoping all will be resolved for the better.

"Pray for him," Rosilda said. "I am praying."

"I am doing everything I can to help. Everything will be settled with the help of God and the family."

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