Robson de Souza, known as Robinho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward.
58 Facts About Robinho
2.
In 1999, at 15 years of age, Robinho was picked by Brazil legend Pele as his heir apparent and, in 2002, went on to lead Santos to their first Campeonato Brasileiro title since Pele himself played for the club.
3.
At international level, Robinho has won one Copa America title and two FIFA Confederations Cups with the Brazil national team, and played at two FIFA World Cups.
4.
Robinho signed his first professional contract with Santos in 2002 at the age of 18.
5.
Robinho made 24 appearances in his debut season and scored one goal as Santos won the 2002 Campeonato Brasileiro.
6.
Robinho reached the final of the 2003 Copa Libertadores with Santos, but lost in the final to Boca Juniors.
7.
In 2004, Robinho finished with 21 goals in 37 games and led Santos to win another Campeonato Brasileiro.
8.
Robinho's form had brought him to the attention of many European clubs in the summer of 2004, but Robinho remained with Santos after the Brazilian club rejected all offers.
9.
Robinho's form suffered in the 2005 season after his mother, Marina da Silva Souza, was kidnapped by gunmen at her Praia Grande home on 6 November; she was released unharmed six weeks later after a ransom was paid.
10.
Robinho scored nine goals in 12 league games, and his value continued to increase as his talent became more and more apparent to the powers of European football.
11.
Robinho was given the number 10 shirt for Real Madrid, previously worn by Luis Figo.
12.
Robinho made 37 appearances and scored 14 goals in his first season.
13.
Only after the winter break did Robinho find himself in the starting XI, later playing a crucial role as Real Madrid won their 30th La Liga title that year.
14.
Robinho then got injured at the beginning of the second half of the season.
15.
Robinho did not recover fully enough to help Madrid against Roma in the Champions League.
16.
The week before Robinho saved Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes with a two-goal performance on 3 March 2008 as Madrid defeated Recreativo de Huelva away from home.
17.
Robinho was Real Madrid's third-highest scorer during his Madrid years, behind strikers Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
18.
Robinho subsequently revealed talks never began because Madrid hoped to use him as part of the deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in the summer of 2008.
19.
Robinho had previously been linked with a transfer to Chelsea, and he had emphasised his desire to play for the London club up to the eve of the transfer.
20.
Robinho finished the season as City's top goalscorer with 14 and the fourth top scorer in the league.
21.
Robinho missed three months of the season due to injury and only played 12 games in total, and scored one goal.
22.
On 28 January 2010, Robinho returned to his home club Santos due to moving down the pecking order at Manchester City, joining them on a six-month loan deal.
23.
Robinho had publicly stated that at Manchester City he would play every other game, and because of the upcoming World Cup, he wanted to play every game, and so returned to Brazil with Santos after declining a move to Sao Paulo.
24.
Shortly afterwards, Robinho stated that he wanted to remain with Santos rather than return to England.
25.
Robinho returned to training with Manchester City in August 2010, but stated that he was seeking a move away from the club before the end of the summer transfer window on 31 August.
26.
Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas opened transfer negotiations with City, but Robinho rejected a move to Turkey, declaring that he would rather move to a club in Spain or Italy.
27.
Robinho continued his goalscoring form with a goal the following week in a Serie A match against Napoli on 25 October 2010.
28.
Robinho then scored the first goal for Milan against Sampdoria, but Giampaolo Pazzini equalised on the hour mark to end as a draw.
29.
Against Cagliari, Robinho scored a brace in the 37th week of Serie-A on 14 May 2011, leading to celebrations of the Scudetto winners after the match.
30.
Four days later, Milan drew against Parma in an away match where Robinho came on as a substitute.
31.
Robinho was then injured in training and was sidelined for the next five games.
32.
Robinho made his comeback against Malaga as a substitute in the 80th minute; the game ended as a draw.
33.
Robinho was close to signing with old club Santos in both January 2013 and July 2013, but the move fell through on both occasions due to the player's wage demands.
34.
On 18 July 2013, Robinho signed a new contract with Milan on a reduced wage, keeping him with the Rossoneri until 2016.
35.
Robinho suffered a groin strain early in the pre-season against Valencia on 27 July 2013, which disrupted his preparation for the upcoming season.
36.
Robinho scored his only goal in Milan's Coppa Italia campaign at the San Siro in the quarter-finals against Spezia on 15 January 2014.
37.
Robinho was presented on the following day, stating a desire to play in the following match against fierce rivals Corinthians.
38.
On 16 July 2015, Robinho signed a six-month contract with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, managed by compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari and linking up with his international teammate Paulinho.
39.
Robinho won the Chinese Super League in the 2015 season.
40.
On 1 February 2016, Robinho became a free agent after his contract expired with Guangzhou.
41.
On 11 February 2016, after 10 days being released Robinho signed a two-year contract with Atletico Mineiro.
42.
Robinho was the highest goal scorer in Brazil in 2016, with 25 goals.
43.
Robinho was selected for the Campeonato Brasileiro team of the year, in both the Craque do Brasileirao and the Bola de Prata awards.
44.
Robinho scored a goal in the 2017 Campeonato Mineiro final over rivals Cruzeiro, which secured Atletico the title.
45.
Robinho left the club at the expiry of his contract in December 2017, having scored a total of 38 goals in 109 matches.
46.
On 23 January 2018, Robinho signed for Turkish Super Lig club Sivasspor.
47.
On 10 October 2020, Robinho rejoined Santos on a deal running until February 2021, with the option for an extension until December 2022.
48.
In July 2003, Robinho was called up for the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup, along with his Santos teammates Alex and Diego.
49.
Robinho went to the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany, which Brazil went on to win.
50.
Robinho was named in Brazil's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
51.
Robinho finished as the Golden Boot winner in addition to being named the best player of the tournament.
52.
Robinho was named in Brazil's squad for the 2010 World Cup, where he played alongside Luis Fabiano in attack.
53.
On 31 October 2013, after a hiatus of two years, Robinho was recalled to the Selecao by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
54.
In May 2015, Robinho was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2015 Copa America held in Chile.
55.
An entirely home-based squad was chosen in tribute to the Chapecoense squad killed in LaMia Flight 2933 in Colombia weeks earlier, and Robinho lined up alongside his former Santos partner Diego.
56.
Robinho has been criticised for his poor work-rate, lack of tactical discipline, and for his slender physique, which often leads him to go to ground easily.
57.
At the time of the sentencing, Robinho was in Brazil, and under Brazilian law, a Brazilian citizen cannot be extradited to a foreign country.
58.
The Milan Court of Appeals found that Robinho had "belittled" and "brutally humiliated" the victim, while he tried to mislead investigators from the onset by providing a false version of events he had agreed upon with his friend.