Luiz Adriano
A Brazilian striker who etched his name in Champions League history with a five-goal haul and became Shakhtar Donetsk's all-time top scorer.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Brazilian footballer·Birthday: April 12·Millennials
Biography
Luiz Adriano's journey from the streets of Porto Alegre to European football lore is a tale of explosive efficiency. He rose through the ranks at Internacional before his career-defining move to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007. There, he evolved from a promising talent into a ruthless finisher, forming a devastating Brazilian attacking corps. His peak moment arrived in October 2014, when he scored five goals in a single UEFA Champions League match against BATE Borisov, a feat matched only by Lionel Messi. This performance cemented his legacy as a European cup specialist. His goal-scoring prowess made him Shakhtar's record scorer before ventures to AC Milan, Spartak Moscow, and back to Brazil. Adriano's career is a testament to a striker's instinct, defined by being in the right place at the right time, repeatedly.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Luiz was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Luiz Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Luiz's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became Shakhtar Donetsk's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 128 goals across all competitions during his tenure.
- Scored five goals in a single UEFA Champions League match for Shakhtar against BATE Borisov in 2014.
- Won seven Ukrainian Premier League titles and the UEFA Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk.
- Earned four caps for the Brazilian national team, making his debut in 2014.
Did You Know?
He is one of only two players (alongside Lionel Messi) to have scored five goals in a single UEFA Champions League match.
Adriano's transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to AC Milan in 2015 was part of a deal that saw Milan's forward, Stephan El Shaarawy, move the other way on loan.
He started his professional career at Internacional in Brazil, winning the Copa Libertadores with them in 2006, though he did not play in the final.
“I just kept my head down and focused on the next ball.”
