Last week was one of the worst in recent memory for Brazilian clubs in the Copa Libertadores. Rio de Janeiro outfits Flamengo and Botafogo, as well as Atletico Paranaense, all fell at the group stage of the continental competition.
But whilst it may have been a night of shame for three of Brazil's entrants, there was a silver lining for one forward.
Former Internazionale and Brazil star Adriano scored his first goal in over two years in Atletico's 2-1 defeat to The Strongest of Bolivia.
Levelling in first-half injury time, he briefly gave the club hope of progressing in the tournament, only for it to be dashed after the interval. For the player himself, however, it was hope that he can turn the corner for what must undoubtedly be the nightcap in his last-chance saloon.
His most recent previous strike had come on February 25 in the Sao Paulo state championship, while playing for Corinthians. Despite the club winning the league title during his spell there, his marriage to the Paulista club was not a happy one.
It is a theme that has unfortunately repeated itself throughout his checkered career.
The look of delight on his face as he tapped home told more than any words could. For the 32-year-old, it has been a long journey back to the football pitch that at times never looked like he would complete.
For a man of such abundant talent, Adriano's career has been far more about the downs than the ups. Since winning the 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro with Flamengo and lifting the Golden Boot with 19 goals, it appeared the striker—once considered one of the most dangerous and formidable on the planet—had put his demons behind him.
He had even battled his way back into the international reckoning. Dunga picked him for Brazil's friendly with Ireland in February 2010, but before the main event that summer he was already on the descent again.
A disastrous spell at Italian club AS Roma, where he failed to find the back of the net, saw him back in his homeland within a year.
Adriano and Flamengo seemed a natural fit, but the proposed transfer was vetoed by then-coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo. Instead, he found himself at Corinthians, where bad luck played a pivotal part in his downhill slide.
Just weeks after signing with the club, he snapped an Achilles tendon and was ruled out for over five months. During Corinthians' run to the 2011 Brasileiro title, the Imperador made just four appearances, scoring a solitary goal.
After parting ways following another miserable year, he was finally given another crack at Flamengo. This time, the club was cautious.
His contract was dependent on matches played. Adriano never managed a game.
At this late stage in his career, following injuries, drinking binges and controversies galore, it would take a brave club to take a punt on a washed-up forward. Atletico Paranaense have taken that chance.
The club were the surprise package of last year's Brazilian league. They finished third, which qualified the side for their run in the Copa Libertadores.
The signing of Adriano has, regrettably, not worked out. After missing training on two occasions the club rescinded his contract, meaning the former international is now out in the wilderness once more.
Now, whatever happens from here, however much of a success the forward manages to carve out of the embers of his once-burning fire, it must surely grate that his chances of pulling on the yellow shirt of the Selecao have already been reduced to cinders.
It is a bitter irony that now, at the helm of the national ship, is a coach whose favoured style would suit a player of Adriano's attributes perfectly. Luiz Felipe Scolari loves a target man, and right now that position is in the hands of Fluminense forward Fred.
But would a fully fit Adriano, a man who had fought off his demons and used the momentum of that 2009 Brasileiro success with Flamengo to relaunch his career, find a place in the starting line-up of the most important World Cup for Brazilians in over 60 years?
The grim reality is we will never know. However, his own waste may also be Brazil's loss.
Atletico Mineiro president Alexander Kalil announced the signing of former France forward Nicolas Anelka on Twitter last Sunday night. Despite the 35-year-old being almost hounded out of England following his “quennelle” gesture at the end of December, the arrival of a player of his calibre is an encouraging move for the reigning Libertadores champions.
Anelka is a striker of international renown. He has spent time at some of the biggest clubs on the planet and has appeared in one World Cup and two European Championships.
His last two outings in domestic football, an ill-advised jaunt to China with Shanghai Shenhua and a disastrous spell in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, may have irreparably damaged his reputation in Europe. But the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea striker can nevertheless add to the Brazilian club's attacking repertoire.
Already boasting the likes of Ronaldinho, Jo, Diego Tardelli and Fernandinho, Anelka's predatory instincts may force coach Paulo Autuori to switch from his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
Selecao striker Jo spearheads the offensive quarter with his three teammates playing off him, Tardelli in particular, getting forward whenever possible.
Jo was the leading scorer in last year's Copa Libertadores with seven goals; Tardelli was second on the list with six. The latter is the player who has lent the most support to Jo as a loan frontman, both under Cuca last year and now under Autuori's stewardship.
The signing of Anelka gives the current boss options, however. He opens up the possibility of playing a more conventional 4-4-2, or in Brazil, what is more likely to resemble a 4-2-2-2 with four offensive-minded players slotted into formation.
Anelka has already experienced playing alongside Atletico's biggest draw, Ronaldinho. The pair were at Paris Saint-German together in 2001 and 2002.
And according to Globo Esporte (via World Soccer Talk), part of the attraction of joining the Belo Horizonte outfit was a reunion with the two-time World Player of the Year.
Now in the twilight of their careers, Ronaldinho has recovered after a turbulent spell at Rio de Janeiro outfit Flamengo. As for the Frenchman, Anelka has the chance to go after South American silverware, notably, Atletico's bid to defend their Libertadores title in what for him is undiscovered territory.
Atletico have successfully negotiated their passage to the knock-out phase of the Copa Libertadores. No side have won successive titles since Boca Juniors in 2000 and 2001. Anelka arrives with a fresh challenge to overcome.
Whether he will be available to play immediately remains to be seen. He was handed a five-game suspension by the English Football Association for the “quennelle” gesture he made at Upton Park during the West Ham versus West Brom match at Upton Park on December 28, as reported by The Guardian.
When he does manage to make it onto a pitch, his experience, sharp movement and attacking prowess could be fundamental for the Minas club. He may not be the world-class prospect of five or six years ago, but his pace and ability in front of goal will add fuel to the entertaining, swashbuckling Atletico fire.
But where to fit him in?
If it is accepted that Anelka and Ronaldinho are to play together, that leaves Jo, Tardelli and Fernandinho vying for two spots.
Jo and Tardelli are enjoying a fruitful understanding in attack, meaning the player most under pressure is tricky winger Fernandinho. But omitting the 28-year-old would invariably result in a change of approach.
Anelka has form playing down the channels. He did so at Chelsea with Didier Drogba in a more central role.
And whilst the pace of the game in this corner of the world is slower, testament to the fact Ronaldinho has managed to prolong his career, wide players need to track back against full-backs unafraid to surge forward.
Whether Anelka still has the lungs for that kind of work is questionable, which will probably lead to a central striking role alongside Jo.
As a player who can be frustratingly inconsistent in front of goal, the former France international is the kind of experienced forward the Brazil international can learn from as he moves into the second half of his career.
Arriving at Atletico Mineiro, his 12th club across seven countries, it might seem baffling that Anelka, for all his talent, still has something to prove. His baggage is well documented, but after an unhappy year, he has the opportunity to demonstrate he is far from washed up.
Brazil is a clean slate. Atletico can be his saving grace.
