Adriano apologises to Flamengo for missing training

Flamengo forward Adriano has apologised to the club following his warning for missing training.

The 30-year-old striker was due to take part in a specially designed training programme, aimed at helping him get back to full fitness, but instead had the day off.

A statement on Flamengo's official website said that the striker would be warned for his absence ''in line with the clause established in his contract'', and Adriano has now apologised for his behaviour.

He said: ''This will be my last chance, if I miss training again, my contract will be broken.

''I want to apologise to the club and the fans.''

The former Brazil international had stated in August that Flamengo was his "last chance", and his reasoning behind missing training was that he had visited the sprawling Vila Cruzeiro favela (shanty-town), where he was raised, and was involved in a minor traffic accident.

Adriano's spokesperson said: ''After a sequence of daily training, Adriano asked to rest on Monday.

''During a visit to the community, his car and a motorbike touched each other. As the two were travelling slowly, nobody was injured.''

Adriano has had a lot of off-the-field problems during his career, including battles with alcohol, weight-gain and depression, as well as contract terminations.

The former Inter Milan player, whose career has been in steady decline since the 2006 World Cup, signed a performance-based contract with Flamengo two weeks ago following his departure from Corinthians in March.