1. Early Life and Background
Adriano was born on 17 February 1982, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up in a favela, a challenging environment that shaped his early life. At the age of seven, he began his football journey by joining the youth academy of Flamengo. Initially a small and thin player, he started as a side-back but transitioned to a forward when he was promoted to the Under-17 team, where his natural talent began to flourish.
2. Club Career
Adriano's professional club career spanned both Brazil and Europe, marked by periods of brilliant success and significant challenges that impacted his performance and personal well-being.
2.1. Youth and Early Career in Brazil
Adriano began his career in 1999 within Flamengo's youth squad, earning a promotion to the senior team just one year later, in February 2000, at the age of 17. He made his senior debut for the club on 2 February 2000, in a Torneio Rio-São Paulo match against Botafogo. Just four days later, he scored his first goal against São Paulo in the same competition. Despite signing a two-year contract with Flamengo in June 2000, his impressive early performances quickly caught the eye of European scouts.
2.2. European Career: Italy
Adriano's journey into European football began with a move to Italy, where he would establish his reputation as a formidable striker.
He first joined Inter Milan for the 2001-02 season, with his transfer valued at 13.19 M EUR. He made an immediate impression, scoring his first goal for the club against Real Madrid in a friendly match, delivering a powerful shot of 65 mph (105 km/h) from outside the penalty area via a free-kick. This goal was so memorable that his coach, Héctor Cúper, initially delayed his planned loan spell.
For the latter half of the 2001-02 season, Adriano was loaned to Fiorentina, where he continued to demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess, netting six goals in 15 appearances. He gained attention for scoring four goals in the 90th minute during this period.
In July 2002, a two-year co-ownership deal was agreed upon with Parma for 8.80 M EUR. At Parma, he formed an impressive striking partnership with Adrian Mutu, scoring 22 goals in 36 appearances. Across his year and a half at the club, he recorded 23 goals in 37 league matches. He experienced his first significant injury setback in November 2003, missing a month of play.
2.3. Peak at Inter Milan
Adriano returned to San Siro, Inter Milan's home stadium, in January 2004, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract valued at approximately 23.40 M EUR. In the remainder of the 2003-04 season, he scored 12 goals in 16 league matches, notably netting two goals in the final league match against Empoli to secure Inter's fourth-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
The period from July 2004 to June 2005 marked Adriano's absolute peak, where he scored an astounding 42 goals across domestic and international competitions. In the 2004-05 season, he registered 16 goals in 30 league appearances and was particularly prolific in the Champions League, scoring 10 goals-a club record for Inter in a single UCL season. His contributions were vital in ending Inter's seven-year trophy drought, leading them to a third-place finish in Serie A, a Coppa Italia title, and a Champions League quarter-final appearance. Between January and December 2004, he scored 43 goals in 54 official matches for club and country. His remarkable performance led to him being voted sixth for the 2004 FIFA World Player of the Year and seventh for the 2005 Ballon d'Or. In September 2005, Inter extended his contract until June 2010 with improved terms, aiming to secure their star player amidst widespread interest from major European clubs. During the 2005-06 season, he scored 19 goals in all competitions, including a dramatic two-goal performance in the Milan Derby, securing a 3-2 victory for Inter.
2.4. Decline and Personal Struggles
Following the extension of his contract, Adriano's career at Inter began to suffer a significant decline, heavily influenced by personal challenges. Questions arose about his work ethic after he was reportedly seen partying in nightclubs on multiple occasions during the 2006-07 season. This led to public criticism, with Brazilian coach Dunga notably urging him to "change his behavior" and "focus on football." In February 2007, he missed team practice due to prolonged birthday celebrations, resulting in Inter manager Roberto Mancini benching him for crucial matches. These issues, combined with injuries and inconsistent performances, began to overshadow his immense talent. In Italy, he received the "Bidone d'Oro" (Golden Bin) award, given to the worst Serie A player, in 2006 and 2007, and again in 2010.
His struggles were profoundly affected by the death of his father in August 2004. As former Inter captain Javier Zanetti recounted, "He got a phone call from Brazil: 'Adri, dad is dead.' I saw him in his room, he threw the phone and started screaming. You couldn't imagine that kind of scream. Since that day [Inter chairman Massimo] Moratti and myself watched over him as he was our little brother. He kept playing football, scoring goals, and pointing to the sky dedicating them to his father. After that phone call nothing was the same. We did not succeed of pulling him out of depression." Adriano himself later admitted to becoming an alcoholic following this tragedy, stating, "I'm obsessed with wasting my life." The loss of his main motivation-making his father happy-coupled with newfound wealth, made the sacrifices of an athlete's life unbearable, leading him to seek solace in drinking and a hedonistic lifestyle.
2.4.1. Loan Spell at São Paulo
On 16 November 2007, Inter owner Massimo Moratti sent Adriano on unpaid leave to Brazil, for the second time in 18 months, to address his poor physical condition and ongoing battle with alcoholism. Despite initial denials from his agent, Adriano expressed a desire for regular playing time, drawing interest from clubs like West Ham United and Manchester City. Manchester City's owner, Thaksin Shinawatra, acknowledged his talent but noted his decline after his father's death and subsequent weight gain.
However, Moratti insisted Adriano would return, stating, "I would like him back here in January, as strong and as good as he was." Inter eventually finalized a loan deal on 19 December 2007, sending Adriano to São Paulo for the remainder of the 2007-08 season, allowing him to compete in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. São Paulo fans enthusiastically welcomed him, queuing to buy his new number 10 jersey. He scored two goals in his competitive debut for São Paulo, a 2-1 victory over Guaratinguetá in the Campeonato Paulista tournament.
His time at São Paulo was not without controversy. On 10 February 2008, he was sent off for headbutting Santos defender Domingos, receiving a two-match ban. He was also fined by São Paulo on 29 February for arriving late and leaving early from training. By 17 June, São Paulo announced Adriano's early return to Inter, citing the need for a balanced squad.
2.4.2. 2008-09 season
Upon his return to Inter, Adriano was a regular goalscorer in the early part of the 2008-09 Serie A campaign, achieving a combined total of 100 domestic goals in the Italian and Brazilian Série A leagues. On 22 October 2008, he scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Anorthosis Famagusta, marking his 18th Champions League goal and 70th for Inter.
However, his disciplinary issues resurfaced. In December, Inter granted him special permission to return to Brazil for the winter break earlier than planned. By 4 April 2009, Inter confirmed that Adriano had not returned from international duty with Brazil and had not contacted the club, leading to widespread speculation, including rumors of kidnapping or even death in Brazil. He eventually reappeared, stating his intention to remain in Brazil and temporarily suspend his football career, citing a loss of joy for the sport and the difficulty of life in Italy. On 24 April, Adriano's contract with Inter was officially rescinded.
2.5. Later Career in Brazil
Adriano sought to revitalize his career in his home country, with varying degrees of success.
Adriano signed a one-year contract with his boyhood club, Flamengo, on 6 May 2009. His return generated immense excitement, with 50,000 extra tickets sold for his debut on 31 May 2009 against Atlético Paranaense, where he scored a goal. On 21 June 2009, he netted his first hat-trick for Flamengo in a 4-0 win over Internacional. His stellar performances, including 19 goals, were instrumental in leading Flamengo to their first Brazilian Série A title since 1992. On 31 January 2010, he scored another hat-trick in a thrilling 5-3 comeback victory against rivals Fluminense in the Fla-Flu derby during the 2010 Rio de Janeiro State League. Over his second stint with Flamengo, he scored 35 goals in 47 matches.
2.6. Return to Italy and Final Stints
Adriano attempted another return to European football and played for several more clubs before his retirement.
On 8 June 2010, Italian Serie A club Roma announced Adriano's signing on a three-year contract, effective 1 July, with an annual salary of 5.00 M EUR. He was presented with the number 8 shirt. However, his return was plagued by poor fitness, injuries, and disciplinary problems, including being overweight for preseason, incurring the wrath of coach Claudio Ranieri, and reports of drinking and driving license issues while in Brazil. He again received the "Golden Bin" award in 2010. Roma terminated his contract on 8 March 2011, after just seven months. Football journalist Tim Vickery commented on Adriano's "wasted talent" following his departure from Roma, attributing it to his father's death, financial comfort, and an inability to cope with the demands of professional football.
On 25 March 2011, Adriano signed a one-year deal with Corinthians in Brazil. Shortly after, on 19 April, he ruptured his Achilles tendon during training, requiring six months of recovery. He made his debut for Corinthians on 9 October 2011 in a 3-0 win over Atlético Goianiense. His first goal for the club came on 20 October against Atlético Mineiro, a winning goal that secured a 2-1 victory and a two-point lead in the championship. Despite this, his inconsistent appearances and perceived lack of interest led Corinthians to release him on 12 March 2012.
After training with Flamengo for several months, Adriano briefly rejoined the club on 21 August 2012 but was released on 7 November 2012, without making any appearances, as he was deemed physically unable to perform at a professional level. He also failed a medical test with Internacional in March 2013.
On 11 February 2014, Adriano signed with Atlético Paranaense. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he was released on 11 April 2014, after only two months. This period was marked by further disciplinary issues, including missing training sessions and being seen in nightclubs after matches. The club cited contract non-compliance following their elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
After a period without a club, Adriano signed with Miami United F.C. of the National Premier Soccer League (the fourth tier of American soccer) on 28 January 2016. He left the club on 28 May 2016. In July 2016, reports emerged that he was living in one of Rio de Janeiro's most dangerous favelas. While he made only one appearance for Miami United, scoring a goal, he later expressed a desire to return to professional football in October 2017.
3. International Career
Adriano made his international debut for the Brazil national team at the age of 18, on 15 November 2000, in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia. He was widely considered the long-term successor to legendary striker Ronaldo.
3.1. Early International Career and Copa América 2004
Adriano scored his first international goal on 11 June 2003 in a friendly match against Nigeria. He was included in Brazil's squad for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, leading the attack alongside Ronaldinho in Ronaldo's absence. He appeared in all three matches and scored two goals before Brazil was eliminated in the group stage. An injury prevented him from participating in the 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament.
The following year, Adriano had a standout performance at the 2004 Copa América. He led Brazil to victory, winning the Golden Boot as the competition's top scorer with seven goals. In the final match against Argentina, Adriano dramatically scored the equalizer in the 93rd minute, pushing the game to a penalty shootout, which Brazil won 4-2, with Adriano converting his penalty. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira highlighted Adriano's crucial role in securing the title. His performance included a hat-trick against Costa Rica in the group stage, two goals against Mexico in the quarter-finals, and one goal against Uruguay in the semi-finals. He was also awarded the Golden Ball (MVP) for the tournament.
3.2. Confederations Cup 2005 and World Cup 2006
In 2005, Adriano continued his impressive international form at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. He was named Player of the Tournament, receiving the Golden Ball, and also secured the Golden Boot Award as the leading scorer with five goals. In the final, he steered Brazil to a dominant 4-1 victory over Argentina, scoring two goals. His consistent exceptional performance in international tournaments, achieving three consecutive MVP and top scorer awards, led some betting companies to consider him the most likely top scorer for the upcoming World Cup.
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. He scored his first World Cup goal on 18 June 2006 in a 2-0 win against Australia, and his second in a 3-0 victory against Ghana. Despite his two goals, Adriano's World Cup campaign was considered a disappointment, as he managed only five shots throughout the tournament. Brazil as a whole struggled to find the right balance between defense and attack and was ultimately eliminated in the quarter-finals by France.
3.3. Post-2006 Decline and Final Appearances
Following the disappointing World Cup, Adriano's international career declined significantly, mirroring his struggles at the club level due to poor performances and personal problems. After the 2006 World Cup, he made only one appearance for Brazil under Dunga's management until 2008, as a halftime substitute in a 2-0 friendly loss to Portugal on 6 February 2007.
In 2008, Adriano regained some form during his loan spell at São Paulo FC, earning a recall to the national team. On 10 October 2008, he scored his first international goal in two years in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. He was a regular member of Brazil's squad during the World Cup qualification campaign and was included in the team's final friendly prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup against the Republic of Ireland. However, despite his efforts, Adriano was one of the two players dropped from Dunga's final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup, marking the end of his significant international career.
4. Playing Style
Adriano was a physically imposing, well-rounded, versatile, and modern striker, renowned for combining raw pace and physical strength with nimble footwork and excellent technical skills. His dominance, power, and skill earned him the moniker L'Imperatore (L'ImperatoreThe EmperorItalian), a nickname referencing the Roman Emperor Hadrian, during his time in Italy.
A natural left-footed player, Adriano possessed exceptional ball control, impressive dribbling ability, and a creative flair that complemented his powerful attributes. He was known for his keen eye for goal and an immensely powerful left-footed shot that could find the net from almost any angle, often described as creating awe. He was also an accurate free-kick taker and was effective in aerial duels. Beyond his individual scoring ability, he demonstrated the capacity to link up effectively with teammates and provide valuable assists. His natural athleticism and ability to hold up the ball made him a formidable presence in the post-up role.
Former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović notably described Adriano's immense talent: "I played with great champions. I played with players that were already...wow. I played with players that I saw were a talented and became...wow, but the one I felt could do it longer, and he didn't do it, was Adriano when I was at Inter. He could shoot from every angle, nobody could tackle him, nobody could take the ball, he was a pure animal."
Despite being regarded as a highly promising player in his youth, with his qualities and playing style drawing comparisons to his compatriot Ronaldo, and even being initially seen as his potential successor, Adriano's career was tragically derailed. His consistency, character, fitness, and work ethic became major concerns following the death of his father. His struggles with depression and alcoholism, compounded by a hedonistic and turbulent lifestyle off the pitch, as well as recurring injuries and a lack of discipline in training, contributed to significant weight gain as his career progressed. Consequently, he is widely regarded in the media as a "wasted talent" who failed to fulfill his initial potential, despite his moments of brilliance.
5. Personal Life and Off-field Issues
Adriano's personal life was marked by significant challenges that profoundly affected his professional career. The death of his father in August 2004 was a turning point, plunging him into a deep depression and leading to a struggle with alcoholism, which he later publicly acknowledged. This personal tragedy, coupled with the immense financial security he had achieved, reportedly removed his primary motivation for playing football - to make his father proud. He admitted that the sacrifices required for an athlete's life became an "unbearable limitation," leading him to prioritize drinking and a turbulent lifestyle.
His struggles with mental health and substance abuse frequently manifested as disciplinary issues, including skipping training, late arrivals, and being seen at nightclubs, which generated significant media attention and led to friction with his clubs and national team coaches. In October 2024, a video that went viral online showed Adriano heavily intoxicated on the streets of a Rio de Janeiro favela, highlighting his ongoing personal battles. This incident followed reports of marital troubles, including a divorce after only 24 days of marriage.
In November 2014, a judge in Rio de Janeiro cleared Adriano of drug trafficking charges that had been alleged in 2010, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
Adriano has a son, also named Adriano (born 2006), who has followed in his father's footsteps and also become a professional footballer, moving to Académica in Portugal in February 2025. Adriano also famously appeared as the cover model for the football video game Pro Evolution Soccer 6.
6. Evaluation and Legacy
Adriano is frequently cited in football discussions as a classic example of a "wasted talent," a player who possessed all the physical and technical attributes to become one of the sport's all-time greats but ultimately failed to reach his full potential. At his peak between 2004 and 2005, he was undoubtedly one of the most feared and dominant strikers in the world, capable of extraordinary feats of goal-scoring and athleticism. His nickname, L'Imperatore, perfectly encapsulated his commanding presence on the pitch.
However, the tragic death of his father, the subsequent battles with depression and alcoholism, and the disciplinary issues that plagued his career became insurmountable obstacles. These personal struggles led to a dramatic decline in his fitness, consistency, and motivation, leading him to fall far short of the immense expectations placed upon him as Ronaldo's successor for Brazil. His career stands as a stark reminder of the profound impact that mental health issues and a lack of supportive structures can have on even the most gifted athletes. Despite his truncated prime, Adriano left an indelible mark on fans who witnessed his explosive talent, and his legacy is a complex blend of awe-inspiring potential and the poignant reality of what could have been. His repeated wins of the Bidone d'Oro award (2006, 2007, 2010) ironically underscore the stark contrast between his peak and his later struggles.
7. Honours
Flamengo
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2009
- Campeonato Carioca: 2000, 2001
- Copa dos Campeões: 2001
Inter Milan
- Serie A: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
- Coppa Italia: 2004-05, 2005-06
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2005, 2006, 2008
Corinthians
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2011
Brazil U17
- FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1999
Brazil U20
- South American Youth Championship: 2001
Brazil
- Copa América: 2004
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005
Individual
- South American U-20 Championship Golden Shoe: 2001
- FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Shoe: 2001
- Ballon d'Or: 2004 (6th place), 2005 (7th place)
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2004 (6th place), 2005 (5th place)
- Pirata d'Oro (Internazionale Player of the Year): 2004
- Copa América Golden Ball: 2004
- Copa América Golden Shoe: 2004
- Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2004
- FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 2005
- FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: 2005
- IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer: 2005
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2009
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A top goalscorer: 2009
- Bola de Ouro: 2009
- Bola de Prata: 2009
- Bidone d'Oro: 2006, 2007, 2010
8. Career Statistics
8.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Flamengo | 2000 | Série A | 19 | 7 | - | 8 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 40 | 11 | |
| 2001 | Série A | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 19 | 5 | |
| Total | 24 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 21 | 4 | 59 | 16 | ||
| Inter Milan | 2001-02 | Serie A | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 14 | 1 | |
| Fiorentina (loan) | 2001-02 | Serie A | 15 | 6 | - | - | - | 15 | 6 | |||
| Parma | 2002-03 | Serie A | 28 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | - | 31 | 17 | |
| 2003-04 | Serie A | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | - | 13 | 9 | ||
| Total | 37 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | - | 44 | 26 | |||
| Inter Milan | 2003-04 | Serie A | 16 | 9 | 2 | 3 | - | - | 18 | 12 | ||
| 2004-05 | Serie A | 30 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 10 | - | 42 | 28 | ||
| 2005-06 | Serie A | 30 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 19 | |
| 2006-07 | Serie A | 23 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 6 | |
| 2007-08 | Serie A | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | ||||
| 2008-09 | Serie A | 12 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | - | 22 | 7 | ||
| Total | 115 | 47 | 16 | 8 | 30 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 163 | 73 | ||
| São Paulo (loan) | 2008 | Série A | - | - | 10 | 6 | 19 | 11 | 29 | 17 | ||
| Flamengo | 2009 | Série A | 30 | 19 | - | - | - | 30 | 19 | |||
| 2010 | Série A | 2 | 0 | - | 7 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 21 | 15 | ||
| Total | 32 | 19 | - | 7 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 51 | 34 | |||
| Roma | 2010-11 | Serie A | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Corinthians | 2011 | Série A | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | |||
| 2012 | Série A | - | - | - | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 4 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | ||||
| Atlético Paranaense | 2014 | Série A | 1 | 0 | - | 3 | 1 | - | 4 | 1 | ||
| Miami United | 2016 | NPSL | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Career total | 241 | 107 | 25 | 9 | 70 | 33 | 59 | 28 | 405 | 177 | ||
8.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 11 | 9 | |
| 2005 | 12 | 10 | |
| 2006 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 48 | 27 | |
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Adriano goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 June 2003 | Abuja, Nigeria | Nigeria | 3-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 2 | 21 June 2003 | Lyon, France | United States | 1-0 | 1-0 | 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 3 | 23 June 2003 | Saint-Étienne, France | Turkey | 1-0 | 2-2 | 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 4 | 11 July 2004 | Arequipa, Peru | Costa Rica | 1-0 | 4-1 | 2004 Copa América |
| 5 | 3-0 | |||||
| 6 | 4-0 | |||||
| 7 | 18 July 2004 | Piura, Peru | Mexico | 2-0 | 4-0 | 2004 Copa América |
| 8 | 3-0 | |||||
| 9 | 21 July 2004 | Lima, Peru | Uruguay | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2004 Copa América |
| 10 | 25 July 2004 | Lima, Peru | Argentina | 2-2 | 2-2 | 2004 Copa América |
| 11 | 5 September 2004 | São Paulo, Brazil | Bolivia | 3-0 | 3-1 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 12 | 9 October 2004 | Maracaibo, Venezuela | Venezuela | 5-0 | 5-2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 13 | 16 June 2005 | Leipzig, Germany | Greece | 1-0 | 3-0 | 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 14 | 25 June 2005 | Nuremberg, Germany | Germany | 1-0 | 3-2 | 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 15 | 3-2 | |||||
| 16 | 29 June 2005 | Frankfurt, Germany | Argentina | 1-0 | 4-1 | 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup |
| 17 | 4-0 | |||||
| 18 | 4 September 2005 | Brasília, Brazil | Chile | 3-0 | 5-0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 19 | 4-0 | |||||
| 20 | 5-0 | |||||
| 21 | 12 October 2005 | Belém, Brazil | Venezuela | 1-0 | 3-0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 22 | 21 November 2005 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 0-2 | 0-8 | Friendly |
| 23 | 4 June 2006 | Geneva, Switzerland | New Zealand | 2-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 24 | 18 June 2006 | Munich, Germany | Australia | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup |
| 25 | 27 June 2006 | Dortmund, Germany | Ghana | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup |
| 26 | 10 October 2008 | San Cristóbal, Venezuela | Venezuela | 3-0 | 4-0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 27 | 19 November 2008 | Brasília, Brazil | Portugal | 6-2 | 6-2 | Friendly |
