Robinho has long struggled to live up to the expectations thrust upon him ever since being personally singled out by Brazil legend Pele as his heir apparent at the tender age of 15.
Although the “New Pele”, as he was called in the early years of his career, did manage to help Pele’s former club Santos secure their first Brazilian league title since El Rey himself played for the club, there the similarities end. Unsuccessful spells at Real Madrid and Manchester City followed where Robinho developed a reputation as a partying misfit who had a disturbing tendency of disappearing during crunch games. But under Brazil coach Carlos Dunga, Robinho has flourished into the type of multi-talented team player that City hoped they had bought in 2008.
Despite Robinho’s troubles off the pitch, Dunga has shown complete faith in the 26-year-old and has been handsomely rewarded, with the on-loan Santos striker netting 20 times since Dunga became Brazil coach after the 2006 World Cup.
Dunga expressed his happiness with Robinho’s development as a team player after the North Korea game, something he repeated after the Chile win.
“We have players who can play in different positions. Robinho can swap with Kaka for instance,” he said.
“Robinho has asked me what his function in the team is and I have asked him if he felt constrained on the pitch. He replied that he just wants to play and score goals.” While Dunga wants Brazil to play an open game, fans have seen little of Robinho’s dribbling skills here as the striker seems intent on concentrating on delivering for his team rather than briefly thrilling before invariably losing possession.
This new-found discipline could not only be vital to Brazil lifting a sixth World Cup title on July 11th in Soccer City, but might also re-open the door to European football after his much publicised disappointments in Spain and England.
Robinho’s agent, Evandro Souza, is certainly confident that the player’s talent will once again attract the attention of Europe’s top clubs.
“Robinho is very well, very concentrated, happy with his family and in good physical shape. If he has a good World Cup, a lot of European clubs will open their doors to him, including Barcelona,” said Souza.
— DPA