Robinho, the "King of the Dribbles"
LINKS
Profile: realmadrid.com
Interview: realmadrid.com
Interview: realmadrid.com
Presentation: realmadrid.com,...
Profile: goal.com
Profile: fifaworldcup.com
Interview: spiegel-online(ger)
Statistics:santosfc.com.
Pics: empics, getty, reuters,...
Name: Robson de Souza, Robinho
Citizenship: BRA
Born on: 25-01-1984
Born in: Sao Vicente (Sao Paulo)
Shirt name: Robinho
Shirt number: 10
Position: attack
Weight: 60 kg
Height: 1,72 m
Debut (Premiera): --
Seasons with Real Madrid: 0
Games: 0
Goals: --
End of contract: 2010
Buy-out clause: ??? Euros
International: 17/4 debut cap: Mexico vs Brazil (2003-07-13) (29 June 2005/fifa)
Trophies:
I know that it´s very hard to reach the level he did but I hope to be successful like he was and I also want to be successful with the Brazilian national team.
Profile
Robinho started his professional career for Santos in 2002. Seen as one of the trickiest players in the world, Robinho helped Santos win the league title after 20 years scoring 21 goals in 37 matches in 2002.
He faced personal issues when his mother was kidnapped in 2004 for an undisclosed ransom. She was released after two months, after the ransom was paid.
His success at Santos has made Robinho a household name for Brazilian football, and has brought plenty of attention from European clubs to sign him, including Real Madrid.
Robinho eventually joined Real Madrid, forcing on form English striker Michael Owen look at other clubs that would take him. (by footymania.com)
He is only 21 years old, but it´s enough to say that the 25th January of 1984 was a great day for football. Robinho was born. He was born in a humble neighborhood of Sao Vicente (population 300,000), a place where he shared a humble house with his parents (Jilvan and Marina). His neighbours of number 30 in the 21st of September street soon realizad that the ball was the personal plaything of the kid. There was always time to organize a game in the sandy pitch near his home. The rules: the street´s. And for boots, his bare feet.
This is how Robinho grew up. At six years old, he displayed an odd skill for his age and in 1993, at 9 years old, he scored 73 goals playing at five-a-side football with Portuarios, a team that was proclaimed vice champion of Sao Paulo. “There are players born with the gift for football and God has given it to Robinho”. These are the words of Betinho, the footballing father of the new player of Real Madrid, said during an interview he offered to the Sport newspaper AS.
His bicycle kicks and dribbling attracted the attention of the major clubs of Brazil football (Corinthians, Palmeiras, Sao Paulo…) and he ended up in the Santos´s payroll. He entered the inferior categories of this Club that players such as Pelé, Pepe, Dorsal, Mengalvio, Coutinho… launched to the fame during the 60´s. Wearing the white shirt of Santos he achieved his first success when he was proclaimed Under-17 Champion.
The final of the Brasileirao 2002
His cheerful character (he is always joking with his friends) and his art when expressing his football charmed everybody, included Pelé. And one day, O’ Rei visited the training centre of Santos Club, in Vila Belmiro. There was a young man that took some minutes of his time, enough to say later: “This kid will give us a lot of joy”. The addressee of his words curiouslywas Robinho. The statement of Pelé was not unwarranted. He started climbing and the main team of Santos Club opened their doors. Where the possible signing of Real Madrid would graduate in 2002, in the final of the Brazilian Championship.
The 15th December of 2002, he became the alma mater of Santos Club, with his sharp game that broke the spiders web of Corinthians to leave the Timao without a crown. Half the world saw the eight bicycle kicks he performed in a 20 meter run in front of the defender Rogerio. He finished up the grass and the referee awarded the maximum penalty, which he transformed. And he would finish off his task participating directly in the other two goals scored by Elano and Leo. It was his first big title, his first big step in the professional football.
The 74,592 people who were in the stadium Morumbí discovered a new gem. His bicycles and interceptions remained in everybody´s memories and word soon started to spread around. The comparisons came out: that he is the new Garrincha, that he is more like Pelé… Perhaps it was too soon to say it, but there were reasons cause-effect to ensure that Robinho has a certain magic around him.
From the national team to Real Madrid
After graduating with Santos (in 2004 he achieved his second Brazilian Championship), a team where Pelé spent a period, and he won with hard work the yellow-green t-shirt, where he shared changing room with Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo (he is the player he wants to follow), Emerson, Ronaldinho, Kaká… the whole Europe turned their eyes towards the new genius, and he started to listen the siren songs from England, Spain … But his heart chose.
Real Madrid could be his new team and the Spanish league could be the new stage where display his electrifying football. Pelé talked of it one afternoon in Vila Belmiro. And time proved him right. Besides, Betinho, his discoverer predicted it: “If Pelé is the King. Robinho is the Prince”. The possible signing of Madrid is already here, ready to make his dreams true: “It´s a dream to play with Ronaldo and even more to do at Real Madrid”.
by realmadrid.com
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Robinho: "I have to work, work, and work some more to repay the affection I´ve received"
A few hours after his arrival at Madrid, Robinho appeared in "Real Insight". There he talked directly to the Madrid fans, who from now on will get to know the young Brazilian a bit better. Among the declarations of Robinho, these stand out: "Raúl is an excellent attacker and Zidane has great quality", "In Brazil the defenders also play hard" and "I hope to spend a lot of time at the Bernabéu". The attentive gaze of the cameras of Realmadrid Televisión, one of the most of watched programmes of the viewers of the Whites Channel, took on the job of bringing from the television studio to the living room the player as a footballer and as a person. Tastes, curiosities, stories, everything well-adjusted to satisfy the Whites fans.
Robinho, how have your first days been?
They´ve been very nice, I´m very happy after everything that´s happened. From the very start I´ve wanted to be here and now I´m happy to know that a club of the level of Real Madrid is interested in me. Now I´m relaxed, preparing myself for the new season.
Real Madrid really wanted you to come for a long time, and it you too. The fans are very happy, almost 10,000 people were there to welcome you, is it a great responsibility?
There´s it's a great responsibility. I am in a great club, with a great tradition, and very happy because there were 10,000 people here, on my arrival, keen to see me. I am anxious to return this affection with a lot of good football.
Very enthusiastic, very keen to play as you say, but there have been some especially difficult months especially in Brazil, because the fans were divided. There were those who wanted you to come here and there were those who wanted you to stay. Even Lula, the president of Brazil, wanted you to stay. It's been difficult, hasn't it?
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It has been difficult. Since the very beginning, when Madrid became interested in my playing and I showed my will to come here. Some people criticise me in the press, but I only wanted to come and play here in the quality of the club, for the training staff, for the players.... In the end everything has been sorted out and I left Santos through the front door.
The person who has helped you has been Pelé, who has asked for understanding. He said the fans that they had to understand that you wanted to play in Madrid. The truth is that the last game at Santos was spectacular, the people there love you enormously.
Pelé really helped me, as he always has done, since the beginning of my career, and is now for coming here. This was a chance I couldn't miss. Now my family is happy in Madrid, I am happy… That´s the most important thing. Pelé helped me a lot in the negotiations. I went back (to Santos) pretty motivated. It was the round before the quarterfinals and I was able to help them go through. With then I want titles and I also want to win titles with Madrid.
"I want to pay back all the love with good football and many goals"
Robinho is a footballer well known for some of his plays, he is a fantasy player, creative, capable of affecting people's emotions. Principally there is a feint, the "pedal" - known here as the step-over - which you learnt how to do in the streets of San Vicente. How did you learn this dummy?
I learned how to do it in the streets. It's as simple play which I like doing, but always with respect for the rival. With respect and competitiveness. I never go back, I always try to go forward, to get the goal. I hope to do lots here too.
The most famous example of your step-overs were the 8 you performed facing Rogerio, defender for the Corinthians. In a final with a lot of tension, you covered 20 metres with step-overs which ended up in a penalty which you later scored and gave you the final.
It was a very nice moment in my career, doing eight step-overs against the winger of the Corinthians. The fans, 70,000 people, went crazy. I took the penalty with confidence. It was one of my best games.
Principally I play in attack, always at the front. My best season was playing there, in 2004, getting goals. When I began in 2002 I was of a dribbler than a goal scorer, but if I have to play a little bit further back it's just a question of training and adaptation. I like playing as a forward, but if I have to play little further back there's no problem.
You spoke a few moments ago about “professor” Luxemburgo. You always call him professor, it's almost like he´s a footballing father to you.
He´s a trainer with a lot of quality, he helped me a lot when I arrived at Santos. I hope that, God willing, everything will continue well, who knows, maybe we will be able to conquer more titles together here in Madrid.
You call Luxemburgo professor, but you call Ronaldo “president”. Why do you call him that?
President is an affectionate name for him. We get on very well, Roberto, and me… I hope that what we transmit on the pitch we will be able to transmit off the pitch.
There is a lot of affection for you, as Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos speak very highly of you. What has Ronaldo told you about the Spanish league, about Madrid, about living here?
He and Roberto both tell me it's a marvellous city, that the fans really love the players, that they are treated very well, that they are very loyal fans. Also Madrid is the club with a very good structure.
Of the non-Brazilians on the team, is there any player who you especially like of those you have already seen?
Real Madrid has various great players, it's difficult to choose: Raúl is an excellent attacker, Zidane has great quality. All of Real Madrid are excellent.
The presentation of Robinho, open to the public
The new player for the Whites, Robinho will be presented tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The young Brazilian pearl will finally see his dream come true of stepping onto the turf at Bernabéu.
Tomorrow Robinho will put on the Madrid shirt. The presentation will begin at 1:30 pm, in the royal box of the stadium. At 1:45 pm “The king of the dribble” will go down to the pitch with the complete strip where he will demonstrate his technical capacities. The reporters will not be the only ones who will be able to immortalise the moment: The ceremony will be open to all the public. Lastly, at 2:00 pm the Brasilian will give a press conference. The player who left Sao Paulo for Madrid after playing last night the last of the series of matches which he promised the fans of Santos. Now he will see his dream of putting on the mythical white shirt come true.
Robson de Souza comes to Real Madrid in a state of grace, after playing the last seven games with his team, in which he showed himself to be a key player. Before his return to Vila Belmiro, the stadium of Santos, the current Brazilian champion had not managed to get past the upper middle part of the table.
They had not be discovered the manner of playing which crowned them as champion. Robinho promised to try to leave the team as high up as possible. And he did it, Santos now I have the same number of points (39) as the leader, the Corinthians. Sadly Santos are not leaders on goal average.
His last match as a player for Santos was the perfect way of saying goodbye, with a great comeback: the team was losing by 0-2 shortly before the end of the first half, but a goal from Giovanni almost on the whistle of the first half kept their hopes alive. Later on Geílson and Zé Elias finished off the comeback. A comeback in which Robinho contributed all the magic he had. At the 78 minute mark he came out with his best play of the match: he surged forward on the left, leaving behind him two markers and passed the ball perfectly to Geílson, but the forward didn't manage to score. Also the Madrid forward tried throughout the match to score a farewell goal but the Marabá defence never stopped marking him.
Robinho Lands In Madrid And Says: I Want It All
8/26/2005 1:06:00 PM:
Robinho landed in Madrid today to begin his Real adventure, and is expecting to do great things during his European stay.
"I am so happy to be here. If Luxemburgo wants, I can already play this weekend. Objectives? I want to win the Champions League, La Liga, and hope that I can become FIFA World Player while I’m here," he told reporters.
Robinho is also not worried about missing his beloved Brazil.
"I’m slightly sad to be away from it, but the door will always be open for me. It just takes me a second to get back home, but I want to do it after I won everything," he added.
Robinho, a 'Real' dream
Robinho is now 'Real'. The new number '10' of Real Madrid was presented by Florentino Pérez and Alfredo Di Stéfano in front of the multitude of Madrid fans keen to meet their new idol. The Whites president said the new Madrid player was "a fantastic footballer", while Robinho expressed his desire to win "many titles" with Real Madrid. Almost 10,000 people witnessed the presentation of the new Madrid star player.
It was a typical presentation, in the style in which they have been since Florentino Pérez came to the presidency of Real Madrid, and a worthy of a super star player. The first person to speak, as usual was Florentino Pérez.
The word "fantastic" was one of the words most used in this speech by the President, who started off thus: "Football can be many things but without any doubt one of the most desired and admired by the fans in the sport, and I'm speaking even about those who are not fans, is that of “Spectacular Football”.
The possibility of making apparently impossible plays and movements with the ball. It´s from this level of fantastic football I believe Robinho comes from. He´s a footballer capable of creating those plays which later children all around the world try to repeat in the street again and again".
"It has not been easy getting to this day. Many difficulties had to be overcome and are now behind us. For this reason Robinho isn't here today at the Bernabeu and in this team just because of his sparkle and enormous footballing quality. He will be wearing the White strip because he had the deep conviction that Real Madrid was the team which he had dreamed about and he has now achieved this objective ".
"And I would like to emphasise today that Robinho is a very young football who loves his country deeply, Santos and the football of his home country. He is very optimistic and convinced that here at Real Madrid he will return to them his triumphs, to his Brasil and to his people, all the love, the affection, and at the warmth which they have given him until his very last moment over there".
"At Real Madrid we are going to carry on working every day and reinforce ourselves and to consolidate the basic elements which are the keys of our history in the world of football: the commitment and effort and obsession for the beauty of the game. Our team of this year has an enormous capacity and a great talent. Now is the moment to play football of the highest level, putting on the show and generating hope".
"Robinho: I truly think that you have come to the right team and the perfect league to demonstrate your creative capacity. I know that you are going to seduce Europe with your football and I would like you to know that you have all the support and strength of your team-mates and all of our fans".
The pace of emotions in this club is very intense. And this week is an incredibly special one. Last night we presented to the world our first ever official film and definitely the first film which a formal club has brought to the big screen. This cinematographic project helps us in consolidating and expanding the legend and the myth of Real Madrid everywhere in the world ignoring frontiers".
"And today we are presenting Robinho who has come to contribute his football so that this white legend can continue growing and moving people in all five continents".
"Human been need to have dreams and dreams are there to be fought for to turn them into reality. And here today begins the Madrid dream of Robinho".
"Robinho welcome and I'm convinced that you and your family are going to be very happy in Madrid and at Real Madrid".
After the President's speech, the ritual took place in its usual style. Robinho, dressed informally, was the next person to speak. "First for I would like to say that I am very proud and happy to be able to play at Real Madrid. It´s a very special day from me and for my family, which I will always treasure in my memory. Now I hope to live up to all this good feeling with good playing and goals. I hope to win many titles and make history here ".
And then came the long awaited moment. From hands of the Honourary President, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Robinho received his shirt with the number '10' on the back, a magic number for any footballer. Embraces, handshakes, and a message from the Honourary President: "We have high hopes for you. The best of luck and congratulations".
The now number '10' White player then headed off, for the first time, to his new dressing rooms. There he got changed and for the first time put on the strip of Real Madrid (white, like that of Santos). And a few minutes later, he sent the 10,000 Real Madrid fans who were present in the stands of the Bernabéu crazy, who had already been chanting his name has several minutes, and gave his first kicks of the ball in the shadow of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The Prince gave the first signs of his unquestionable talent in his new home. All sorts of moves even including his celebrated stepovers. And dozens of balls to the stands to begin winning the hearts of his new fans. Welcome, Robinho. From now on, a 'Real' dream.
Quotes on Robinho
PELÉ: “Robinho empezó hace tres años cuando yo trabajaba con ojeadores del Santos. Hoy, es sin duda alguna el mejor jugador que tenemos en Brasil. Es un joven simpático, con una carisma enorme y está atrayendo muchos hinchas no sólo entre el Santos sino entre todos a los que les gusta el fútbol. Algunos periodistas de Brasil le llaman Robinho do Nascimiento".
ROBERTO CARLOS: “El Real Madrid puede contratar a uno de los mejores jugadores del mundo. Estoy convencido de que va a triunfar. Tiene todas las cualidades para que esto sea así. Robinho será el número uno en un corto espacio de tiempo y espero que sea con la camiseta del Real Madrid”.
MARADONA: “Robinho es un jugador increíble”.
ZICO seleccionador de Japón: “Está preparado para jugar en el Real Madrid y en cualquier equipo de Europa. Es el mejor futbolista que juega en Brasil (hasta hoy)".
MARCELO GALLO entrenador del Santos: “Es excepcional. Con certeza va a ser el mejor del mundo. Tiene una extrema habilidad y una cualidad técnica altísima. A eso une una velocidad fuera de lo normal, cambios de dirección con el balón en el pie... No veía a un jugador como él desde Ronaldinho, pero con certeza será mejor que el azulgrana. Tiene mejor condición física. Es más flexible. Sólo hay que darle tiempo”.
Robinho displays fantasy skills on Real signing
By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Brazil forward Robinho gave Real Madrid fans a taste of things to come with a spectacular exhibition of ball skills after signing a five-year deal on Friday.
The 21-year-old, who joined for $30 million from Santos, juggled for some 8,000 ecstatic fans at the Bernabeu stadium.
Balancing one ball after another on his back, flicking them over his shoulder and then kicking them into the stands, Robinho had to fend off a stream of admirers who ran on to the pitch to embrace him.
"Today we are going to present one of the great players in the world," said Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
"Football can be many things but one of the most important is the spectacle it provides, and it is in this aspect of fantasy football that Robinho excels.
"It hasn't been an easy road for him to come to Real Madrid, but I think he's chosen the perfect team and the perfect league for him to demonstrate is skills. Robinho's Real Madrid dream begins here."
The presentation generated the level of interest seen when Galactico predecessor David Beckham signed for the club in 2003.
RELAXED ROBINHO
Looking calm and relaxed Robinho was presented with the number 10 shirt worn by Luis Figo last season.
"I'm very happy to be here at Real Madrid, a club with such history and tradition and one that has such excellent players," he said.
"I would like to thank the people for the wonderful reception I've been given and it's great to have so many team mates who play for Brazil here at the club."
Robinho burst on to the scene as an skinny 18-year-old by helping Santos win their first Brazilian championship in 2002.
His trickery, skills and physique have led to comparisons with former Santos great Pele although the youngster has yet to be fully tested against the world's top defenders.
The forward could end up forming an all-Brazilian front line at Real with Ronaldo and Julio Baptista. He said he was confident he would make a rapid transition to European football.
"Brazilian football is spectacular and entertaining and a lot of its players have succeeded here and I want to do the same. There are a lot of similarities between Spanish and Brazilian football and I hope to adapt rapidly," Robinho said.
TRADEMARK STEP-OVERS
"I hope to use a few of my trademark 'pedaladas' (step-overs) against my opponents while I'm here," he added with a smile. "But above all I want to help make Real Madrid a champion team and win a lot of trophies."
Robinho is the fourth Brazilian international in the Real squad and will be reunited with former Santos boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo who is now in charge of the nine times European champions.
"It is good to have so many team mates who play for Brazil here at the club," he said. "I'm fit and raring to go and when Luxemburgo decides to select me I'll be ready to play.
Arch-rivals and Spanish champions Barcelona who have six Brazilian-born players on their books including World Player of the Year Ronaldindo.
Robinho, who scored twice in his final home match for Santos on Sunday, said he hoped he would bring something different to Real Madrid.
"Ronaldinho is a good friend and he's considered the best player in the world. But he has his style and I have mine and I hope I'll make my own mark when I'm here."
"He is the best. He reminds me of me."
- Modest Quote Of The week from Pele on
Robinho.
Robinho
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Robson de Souza (born January 25, 1984 in São Vicente, Brazil), nicknamed Robinho (Robbie) is a Brazilian football player (forward), considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the Brazilian league since his debut for Santos Football Club in 2002; in addition to excelling in the national league, he is also one of the most promising prospects for the Brazilian national team. On July 31 Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid agreed a fee of about 30 million euros for the striker. Robinho will be joining the side on August 25, and will team up with fellow Brazilian internationals Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Julio Baptista.
Robinho made his debut for Santos in 2002 when, along with teammate Diego, he helped lead the club to win its then greatest honour since Pelé retired. After a disappointing 2003 season, Robinho exploded in 2004, scoring 21 goals in 36 matches in the league. Robinho has also appeared for Santos in two Copa Libertadores, helping Santos finish runners-up to Boca Juniors in the 2003 tournament.
Robinho's performances over the past three years had attracted the attention of the great clubs from Europe, but Santos were reluctant to let him go (foreseeing a possible decay of the club's playing strength).
However, he expressed a desire for leaving the country since his mother was kidnapped, by the end of 2004, and was held captive for two months (one among several cases of relatives of famous Brazilian footballers kidnapped recently).
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Robinho's the Real deal
Robinho played his last game for Santos on Wednesday night, helping the Sao Paulo side to a 3-2 win against Paysandu that took them joint top of the table. Today he arrives at Real Madrid to join compatriots Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Julio Baptista in what is the perhaps the most-star studded squad international football has ever seen.
Although at 21 he will be one of the youngest players in the squad, Robinho brings a special trickery and talent to Real. For three years now, the rubber-legged Robinho has treated Brazilian fans to some of the most breathtaking and memorable displays of skill ever seen on a football pitch.
Foremost among them are his trademark pedalada and elastica. In the pedalada Robinho circles his foot around the top of the ball, bamboozling defenders who never know when he is going to lower his studs a few inches and dart off towards goal. In the elastica, he moves forward, the ball seemingly glued to feet attached to what look like elastic legs.
All the time, he rocks his skinny frame from side to side, threatening to go left, then right, then left again. When he does it well, and he frequently does, Robinho can destroy opposing defences.
Such moves have helped transform Santos from Pele's team to Robinho's team. No one player was able to stamp their personality on the club in the same way the King did until Robinho came along with his demoralising displays and cheeky grin. With Robinho in attack, Santos enjoyed most successful period since Pele departed for New York Cosmos.
Between 1975, when Pele left, and 2002, the year Robinho made his debut, Santos won next to nothing. Since then they have won the Brazilian league championship twice, reached the final of the Copa Libertadores once and reached the semi final another time (and some fans believe they lost that because Robinho was on international duty). In short, Robinho rescued Santos from the post-Pele wilderness years and made them great again.
'People all over the world are talking about Santos again thanks to Robinho,' said Pepe, the forward who played for both club and country alongside Pele in the 1950s and 1960s. 'He's lifted the city. Santos is not just about Pele now it's about Robinho as well.'
When Robinho burst onto the scene in 2002 he was a novelty player whose role was limited largely to producing the pedaladas and elasticas that threw defenders off balance. But under the tutelage of first Emerson Leao, and then Vanderlei Luxemburgo, his new manager at Real, he has developed into a player who can also cover, defend, shoot and score goals. Aged just 21 he is a better player than either Ronaldo or Ronaldinho Gaucho were when they left their homeland.
The downside to it all was that as his skill and fame grew he became more of a commodity and in November last year his mother was kidnapped. She was released unharmed six weeks later after Robinho reportedly paid the kidnappers a £45,000 ransom. The incident cast a question mark over his love affair with Santos and he made it clear he wanted to leave Brazil and move somewhere safer.
Things came to a head in July after he returned from winning the Confederations Cup with Brazil. Robinho refused to train, saying his mind was already in Madrid. The saga dragged on for weeks and it was only when a £28m deal was reached on July 22 that he returned to play out the remaining weeks of his contract.
Some fans turned against Robinho after he refused to play for his home town side but they forget that he gave the club more than any of the other regular performers who helped them to that unforgettable league title in 2002.
Before Robinho said goodbye, midfield general Diego had gone to Porto; stylish wing back Elano had departed for Shakthar Donetsk; commanding centre back Paulo Almeida was off to Benfica; Renato, a regular in Brazil's midfield, moved to Seville; and bustling centre forward Ricardo Oliveira signed for Valencia.
Robinho showed more loyalty and decided to move only after his family's safety was at risk. The youngster last week apologised for abandoning the club during the transfer wrangle and was treated as a hero again during his last home game for the club, Sunday's 4-3 win against Figueirense on Sunday night. In a triumphant send off, he scored two penalties, kissed the turf, and was hoisted from the pitch shoulder high.
The truth is, though, is that it is not just Santos fans who will miss him. He scored 83 goals in 191 games but he brought something much more to the game.
'Robinho is a hero to the fans at all Brazilian clubs,' said Tostao, one of the stars of the 1970 World Cup winning side and himself no slouch in attack.
'The supporters admire and care for him not because of his technical ability. His easy going, fantastical and talented way is easy to relate to and his spontaneous and child-like grin have won the hearts of everyone.'
Fans and commentators often compare Robinho to Pele, with one of Brazil's best-known television commentators even referring to him as Robson Arantes de Nascimento, as if he were the son of the great man himself.
But although the Santos connection makes such comparisons inevitable, Robinho is less like Pele and more like Garrincha, the mercurial no. 7 whose crosses, dribbles and off the field high jinks brought him the nickname 'Joy of the People.'
Garrincha played most of his career for Botafogo in the 1950s and 1960s and was one of the stars of the Brazil sides that won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962. His bent legs and powerful thighs helped him beat almost any full back to the byline and his jinks and shenanigans, both on and off the field, were the stuff of slapstick.
All he wanted to do was kick a ball about and have some fun while he was at it. Garrincha was, said his biographer Ruy Castro, 'the most amateur footballer professional football ever produced.'
Robinho is undoubtedly more professional than Garrincha but he shares the same desire to entertain. Unlike Garrincha, however, who died sad and penniless, Robinho seems to have his head screwed on. He is an entertainer and not averse to getting involved in off the field pranks. On one famous occasion he pulled Diego's trousers down as he was having his photo taken for an official Brazil squad picture. (hehe the dude's hilarious)
He calmed down a little after that joke was criticised in the press and he last week promised to behave himself alongside footballing aristocrats like Raul, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.
Football fans, however, must hope he will not rein in the tricks and the travesties that made him great. For even the best believe that if he keeps his head down and continues to learn the most outstanding Brazilian player of recent times could be the one of the greatest to grace Europe.
'I think he has everything possible to be a big success at Real,' said Pepe. 'Robinho is quite simply fantastic.'
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I want to leave a good image. Santos helped me to achieve my objectives in football, to participate with the Brazilian national team as I have dreamt since I was a kid. I want to leave through the front door, playing well, I hope to leave scoring goals, something that I like, I hope to leave Santos in a good position in the Brazilian championship. Santos is in 5th position and I hope that before leaving I will be able to help the Club to get to the top position in the league
What are you going to miss about Brazil?
I´m going to miss the Santos Club, playing here, my friends, the city, my fellow players, I´m going to miss lots of things but I´m going to a great club, Real Madrid, I have friends there such as Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, also Luxemburgo and I hope to make Spanish friends too. I talked a lot with Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos and they told me that the fans of Real Madrid are very good, that they are very affectionate towards the players and I hope they will be so with me and I also hope to win many titles.
Is the fact of playing with Ronaldo in Real Madrid going to be helpful, in terms of the World Cup 2006?
I think it´s going to be good to play together. If we play together at Real Madrid, it will be easier at the national team because we will have played together more often, and you get used to playing, but it is difficult in the Brazilian national team because there are many very good players but for me it´s a point of pride to play in such a great club as Real Madrid, I cannot wait to be there, along with my fellow players and I hope to play well.
What can you tell us about Julio Baptista?
We played when he was here in Brazil at Sao Paulo…yes, Santos won…and then we had the good fortune of playing together for the Brazilian national team and I hope we will be successful at Real Madrid and also on the Brazilian national team.
And what is your relationship with Luxemburgo like?
It´s very good. He´s a good coach, he knows how to get the best out of each player, and we enjoyed being the Brazilian champions in 2004, and it will be good to work with him again and I hope to win more titles with him.
Who inspires you as a player?
It´s difficult to choose only one player in Brazil, there are so many players I like to watch playing. I have always liked Ronaldo, I have always wanted to play with him. Pelé, the king of football …I like many players but I couldn´t say that one in particular is my idol, I like different players.
The press is comparing you a lot with other players, is it hard to be compared so much?
They compare me a lot with Pelé. He played at Santos, Pelé is black, we also play… But Pelé is incomparable.
What exactly is “moleque” football?
Moleque football is to play without fear in the middle. Of course it is a responsibility but I play happily and enjoying myself and that´s the way I play, I have fun and I hope to keep on playing like that for a long time.
Are you aware of the example you set for the kids?
I try to offer them a good example. When I was a kid I was always playing football and now I´m happy that the people like to see me playing football, especially when they are kids, and that they enjoy watching me play, so I try to give them a good example, good advice so there might be another Robinho among them.
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BRA-GRE (Match 4), Anheuser Busch Man of the Match: Robinho (BRA)
16 June 2005 by FIFAworldcup.com
Robinho is the latest sparking young talent to come out of Brazil and the rich potential he showed in the Seleção’s 3-0 victory over Greece earned him the Anheuser Busch Man of the Match award selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group.
The Santos forward operated as a second striker supporting Adriano and capped an impressive performance with the game's second goal moments after the interval, a superb stretching finish after a cross looked to have passed him at the far post. FIFA Technical Study Group Member Andy Roxburgh said of the 21-year-old: "There were about three or four we could easily have picked but with Adriano going off relatively early and Kaka too, we thought that over the whole 90 minutes, Robinho deserved the award.
"We thought the two strikers were really, really good. It was a magnificent goal from Adriano while Robinho showed such great potential. He’s always available and trying to get involved and he had some brilliant touches.
"He did really well as the second striker; it's not an easy role to play but his movement and quickness and touches are fantastic. If you look at this goal, a lot of people would have let that go – it was a really difficult angle. Of course you have to remember he's surrounded by real brilliance and on another night you could have picked someone else but he deserved it tonight."
"Ich sehe mich nicht in einem Wettstreit mit Pelé"
Er kann Tricks, die auf der Welt kein anderer beherrscht, sein Nationaltrainer nennt ihn einen "Schatz" und Real Madrid waren seine Dienste mehr als 20 Millionen Euro wert: Robinho. Im Interview spricht der 21 Jahre alte brasilianische Ballzauberer über sein Idol Pelé, den WM-Titel 2006 und die Schattenseiten des Ruhms.
Ballkünstler Robinho: "Schnelligkeit, Wendigkeit"
Frage: Robinho, viele Fans und Beobachter sehen in Ihnen den neuen Pelé. Nicht zuletzt, weil Sie beide aus dem gleichen Club, dem FC Santos, hervorgegangen sind. Können Sie uns erzählen, wie es war, als Sie Ihrem Idol das erste Mal gegenüber standen?
Robinho: Als er mir vorgestellt wurde, habe ich noch in der Jugendmannschaft gespielt. Und ich kann Ihnen versichern, es war ein unglaubliches Erlebnis, ihn kennenzulernen. Immerhin ist er der größte Spieler aller Zeiten.
Frage: Es gibt die Geschichte, dass Sie sich damals zwei Tage nicht die Hände gewaschen hätten.
Robinho: Ja, das stimmt.
Frage: Und Sie sollen geweint haben, als er Sie später einmal nach einem Spiel öffentlich lobte.
Robinho: Geweint habe ich nicht. Aber ich habe mich sehr geehrt gefühlt. Und ich war gerührt. Ja, das war ich wirklich.
Frage: Im Stadion "Vila Belmiro" des FC Santos steht eine Statue zu Ehren Pelés. Möchten Sie eines Tages auch auf diese Art und Weise geehrt werden?
Robinho: Darum geht es mir überhaupt nicht. Ich sehe mich gewiss nicht in einem Wettstreit mit Pelé. Er verdient all die Ehrungen, die ihm für seine Erfolge zuteil wurden.
Frage: Knapp ein Jahr vor der Weltmeisterschaft und nach dem Konföderationen-Cup: Wie schätzen Sie Ihre persönliche Situation in der Seleçao ein?
Robinho: Zunächst einmal möchte ich einfach nur im Kader sein und für die Weltmeisterschaft nominiert werden. Wenn ich das geschafft habe, werde ich um einen Platz in der Startelf kämpfen. Aber das ist noch Zukunftsmusik.
Frage: Gibt es Momente, in denen Sie angesichts der starken Konkurrenz im brasilianischen Angriff der Mut verlässt? Immerhin haben Sie es mit Adriano und Ronaldo zu tun.
Robinho: Ja, das sind schon sehr gute Leute, denen ich hoffentlich irgendwann mal das Wasser reichen kann. Angst wäre allerdings kein angemessenes Gefühl. Respekt trifft es eher, zumal wir alle untereinander befreundet sind.
Frage: Wir bieten Ihnen eine Wette an: Sie werden der Superstar der kommenden WM oder aber Sie schmoren die ganze Zeit auf der Bank. Worauf würden Sie setzen?
Robinho: Das interessiert mich eigentlich nur am Rande. Viel wichtiger ist, dass Brasilien Weltmeister wird. Wenn ich dann meinen Teil dazu beitragen könnte, wäre das eine wunderbare Zugabe.
Frage: Von jenem Team, mit dem der FC Santos 2002 brasilianischer Meister wurde, spielen Diego und Oliveira längst in Europa, nur Sie blieben bis vor kurzem übrig. Gibt es dafür einen speziellen Grund?
Robinho: Nein. Die Zeit war einfach noch nicht reif.
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Frage: Es gibt ja Experten, die behaupten, Sie würden nicht über die körperlichen Voraussetzungen verfügen, um sich in Europa durchzusetzen.
Robinho: Nun, jeder hat das Recht auf seine eigene Meinung. Was soll ich sonst dazu sagen?
Frage: Dann reden wir doch lieber über Ihre Vorteile gegenüber größeren und robusteren Stürmern. Welche fallen Ihnen da ein?
Robinho: Schnelligkeit, Wendigkeit, meine Stärke beim Dribbling.
Frage: Wenn Sie mit dem Ball allein auf den Torwart zugehen, sind Sie dann aufgeregt oder völlig cool?
Robinho: Ich konzentriere mich ganz auf den Spielzug, den Ball und darauf, das Tor zu machen. Nur leider klappt das nicht immer.
Nationalspieler Robinho: "Das Wichtigste ist der WM-Titel"
Frage: Die "Pedalada", dieser listige Trick, ist eines Ihrer Markenzeichen. Nutzt der sich nicht irgendwann ab?
Robinho: Nein, das kann ich nicht feststellen. In einem Spiel gegen Corinthians ist er mir zum Beispiel gleich achtmal gelungen.
Frage: Ein berühmter Fußballer zu sein hat auch seine Schattenseiten. Ende vergangenen Jahres wurde Ihre Mutter entführt und erst nach quälend langen 41 Tagen wieder freigelassen.
Robinho: Ja, das war schrecklich. Es war eine Zeit, die tiefe Spuren hinterlassen hat. Davon abgesehen habe ich aber keine Probleme damit, in der Öffentlichkeit zu stehen. Es ist sehr schön, die Zuneigung der Fans zu spüren. Deren Begeisterung stört mich überhaupt nicht.
Die Fragen stellte Steffen Rössel
year club Brazilian Championship Sao Paulo Championship Copa Libertadores 2002 Santos FC 29 games/9 goals -- -- 2003 Santos FC 32/9 6/0 14/3 2004 Santos FC 37/21 10/7 8/4 2005 Santos FC 5/3 14/11 9/6
1) Data from www.santosfc.com. 22-7-2005
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