Robinho: ‘I’m leaving City’
Manchester City striker tells Brazilian radio he is leaving the English club.
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| Robinho has his sights firmly set on making the World Cup squad with Brazil [AFP] |
Manchester City’s super-signing Robinho has told Brazilian radio that he is about to leave the English Premier League club.
Robinho told Radio Bandeirantes that he had been advised by Man City directors that Sunday’s match against Scunthorpe in England’s FA Cup would probably be the Brazilian forward’s last for the club.
Robinho moved from Real Madrid to City for a British-record fee of $58 million in 2008 but has struggled to make an impact at Eastlands and has been in and out of the side this season.
Robinho reached stardom while playing for Brazilian club Santos, Pele’s former club, before going to Spain in 2005.
“It would be exceptional to return to Santos,” said Robinho.
“To play at Santos would help me on the way to the World Cup. It is my home, I know everybody.”
Robinho confirmed that the club wanted to offload him.
“It’s what they say. The entire board felt that it is better to lend me,” he said.
Returning home
In the same interview Robinho said that Italy’s Serie A club Juventus were also interested in signing him but that he wanted to return to Santos to secure his place in Brazil’s World Cup side.
He said that he was not playing well for City, but complained about new coach Roberto Mancini, saying the Italian had prevented him from playing regularly.
“The coach was very sincere with me and said that I would play every other match,” Robinho said.
“I told him that would not be interesting to me, it’s a World Cup year.”
Robinho has been a regular in Brazil’s squad under coach Dunga, but several players have been competing for a position in the team’s attack for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Among those vying for a spot are Adriano and Ronaldo, who recently successfully decided to leave European football to try to attract Dunga’s attention in Brazil.
Robinho, who will turn 26 on Monday, said he was disappointed with the style of coaches in European football.
“They choose a formation and want you to play in it, it doesn’t matter if you are short or tall,” he said.
As for his future, Robinho said: “The financial situation is important, but being happy also counts.”