Flamengo's main signing for the Brazilian championship, striker Adriano began his professional career at the club in early 2000. He was still 17 years old when he debuted for the club, in a match against Botafogo, in the now-defunct Rio-São Paulo Tournament.

The Emperor will be officially presented this Thursday afternoon at a press conference in Gávea. Here's a summary—written with the help of researcher Mauricio Neves—of three special moments in the young striker's career while playing for the club's senior team.

1 – The First Goal – It was Morumbi Stadium that hosted Adriano's first goal for the Sacred Mantle. In his second game for the senior team, on February 6, 2000, the striker would only come on in the second half, with São Paulo leading 2-1 in a Rio-São Paulo match. In his first attempt, Adriano received a pass inside the box, on the right, cut inside the defender, and fired a low shot with his left foot, between goalkeeper Rogério Ceni and the post. Flamengo turned the match around, defeating the home side 5-2.

2 – Two goals in a match – In the only match in which Adriano scored twice for Flamengo, the victim was São Paulo. In a Copa João Havelange match on August 12, 2000, Flamengo opened the scoring at Morumbi Stadium. It all started with a counterattack on the right. Petkovic attracts two defenders, enters the box, and passes to the middle. Unmarked, Adriano controls the ball and shoots with his left foot into Rogério Ceni's left corner. For his second goal of the match, Adriano takes advantage of a corner kick taken by Lê. He rises higher than the defenders and heads the ball powerfully, heading it down. The ball bounces before landing in the right corner of a motionless Rogério Ceni.

3 – The only goal in a derby – In Flamengo's 4-0 rout of Vasco, Adriano scored. The play begins on the right wing, with Rocha, who plays a one-two with Edilson, breaking free into the box and sending a low cross into the six-yard box, taking the ball away from goalkeeper Hélton. Adriano beats Odvan and slots it into the left corner, scoring his only goal in a Rio derby. In celebration, he displays a T-shirt with the words "Thank you, my Jesus Christ."

All games in which Adriano scored goals for Flamengo

1 - Flamengo 5 x 2 São Paulo (06/02/2000) – Rio-São Paulo Tournament \ 2 - Flamengo 2 x 3 São Paulo - 12/08/2000 - (two goals) - João Havelange Cup \ 3 - Flamengo 2 x 2 Santa Cruz - 20/08/2000 - João Havelange Cup\ 4 - Flamengo 2 x 1 Betis - 29/08/2000 - Friendly\ 5 - Flamengo 3 x 1 Goiás - 14/09/2000 - - João Havelange Cup\ 6 - Flamengo 3 x 0 Santos - 23/09/2000 - - João Havelange Cup\ 7 - Flamengo 4 x 2 Gama - 30/09/2000 - João Havelange Cup\ 8 - Flamengo 2 x 0 Velez Sarsfield - 24/10/2000 – Mercosul Cup\ 9 - Flamengo 4 x 0 Vasco - 27/10/2000 – João Havelange Cup\ 10 - Flamengo 3 x 2 Bangu - 10/02/2001 – State Championship\ 11 - Flamengo 2 x 0 River (PI) - 14/03/2001 – Brazil Cup\