Barcelona left-back Adriano has revealed how he played for four months without any feeling in one leg.
The Brazilian international has suffered problems in his right leg over the past 18 months, having torn a thigh muscle in Barca’s 1-0 Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Madrid in April 2012.
However, the 28-year-old believes he is now over the worst and is looking forward to the 2013-14 La Liga campaign under new Coach Tata Martino.
“What I had turned out to be a nerve problem that stopped the feeling in my leg. I played for four months without any feeling in it at all.
“I risked it although I had no stability. The pain signal to my brain did not materialise until I actually got injured,” Adriano told AS.
“I went to Brazil to receive treatment because it was recurring and now I already feel better. The doctors there were amazed at what I had gone through.
“I was playing, but not at 100 per cent. I sacrificed a lot and was lucky not to be seriously injured.
“But things are now going well under Tata Martino. In the time he’s been here I’ve noticed he is very keen to be a success, which is something we all want.
“Tata is very close to us. He has charisma and makes us feel relaxed, which breeds confidence, and he also talks a lot.
[Javier] Mascherano told us that with his Argentine team he had more or less the same philosophy as Barca. He has his own way of doing things, totally different to Pep [Guardiola] and Tito [Vilanova], and I’m sure some things will change, but not many.
“We know some people have their doubts but things are looking good,” he added.
