“Representing the National Team was the culmination of that boyhood dream. I always believed that wearing the Portugal jersey was more than just playing, it was carrying the pride and hope of an entire country. Being champion of Europe in 2016, wearing the number 23 jersey, was the highest point of my career, a moment that makes me smile every time I remember it. Representing the country in a World Cup, hearing the anthem before each game and feeling the strength of a united nation were experiences that taught me the value of sacrifice, unity and what football can mean for an entire people”he continued.
In an extensive publication, Adrien recalled the adventures he had abroad. “My career took me to different places around the world: England, France, Italy and the United Arab Emirates. In each country I found new challenges, different cultures and different ways of experiencing football. I learned from each experience, I grew with each change and I feel truly privileged to have shared the dressing room and faced some of the best players in the world. Football gave me everything, and for that I will always be grateful”added the now former footballer.
The player trained at Sporting thanked his family and fans, colleagues, coaches and staff he met over the years and, football: “Being a football player has been my life, my passion and my home until today. Now I close this cycle with a full, serene and grateful heart, knowing that I gave everything I had. Thank you football, thank you for everything.”
Without a club since leaving Dubai United, from the United Arab Emirates, at the end of last season, Adrien had previously represented Sporting, Maccabi Haifa (Israel), Académica, Leicester City (England), Monaco (France), Sampdoria (Italy), Al Wahda (United Arab Emirates) and Rio Ave.
He won three Portuguese Cups (2007-08 and 2014-15 with Sporting and 2011-12 with Académica), three Cândido de Oliveira Super Cups (2007, 2008 and 2015, all with Sporting), an Israeli championship and Euro 2016.