Robinho finally finds a place to call home

Ah, Robinho, what a character, the type that constantly needs to be loved. Put an arm around his shoulder, not a kick up the backside. He comes in that bracket of modern footballer/celebrity who craves the attention and hype.

Having completed his loan move to Brazilian club Santos, one of the first things he admitted was that he would love to make the move permanent. That was further highlighted with six words that would mean a sorry ending to those who still plan on seeing him wear the sky blue shirt of Manchester City. Those words were: “At Santos I feel at home.”

A player of Robinho’s class will always be in the spotlight, whilst enduring criticism almost daily- it is part of the all round package. His boyish looks and wide smile, which grew even wider when he was standing next to one of the greatest footballer’s of all time, Pele, when being welcomed by 12,000 Santos’ fans was enough to suggest that Pele was the one who was signing for Santos at the age of 69.

Having spent the first three seasons of his professional career at Santos, Robinho has spun the cycle around now that he finds himself back there. He will probably remember his experiences in England, should he permanently move back to his native land, more than other club spells in his career. This is because he experienced, at first-sight, what media coverage the likes of him receive, along with learning that beach football could never be replicated in this country.

Robinho gave a hint as to the type of character he is, along with a possible dig at Manchester City, when he was quoted in The Sun as saying: “when you come to a club and you are welcomed in this way it makes you want to stay for a long time.” His comments come because his ego was tested at Eastlands, where the new manager Roberto Mancini does not see him fitting in his plans.

Arriving back in Brazil will allow the 26-year-old to go back enjoying the game and life. He is one of those overseas players that will probably never adjust to English conditions and the way of life. He is as unpredictable on the pitch just as he is with his temperament. It is no wonder that his best performances were at Eastlands, whilst continuing to struggle on the physical aspects of the game on a wet and windy Tuesday night at Bolton.

Due to the culture and atmosphere differences regarding football in Brazil, Robinho will have no problem easing back in. Also, the media will embrace him and sweeten him up more than his own good.

Manchester City fans, and English football fans in general, may be glad to see the back of him but Robinho’s trips to Manchester city centre in the local buses will go down as a classic. Somehow you can’t see him doing that on his journeys home from Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium.