In England, it was major news and signals what may prove the beginning of another money-driven power shift in the Premier League.
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Santos are ashamed of their brightest star of recent years.
Back home in Brazil, though, the reaction has been more muted, in spite of yet another of their compatriots' arrivals to play in the country still known as 'The Mother of Football'. More Brazilians are represented in the English top flight than any other foreign nationality, but even the latest addition to that list seems a little underwhelmed by his move.
The national team, preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia over the next week, gave a press conference on Thursday. Asked about his transfer, Robinho mentioned Chelsea, and 'the offer Chelsea made to Real Madrid' several times in the course of his answer, and when the journalist sought clarification afterwards ('You mean Manchester City, right?'), the man of the moment blinked and replied 'yeah, right. Manchester City, sorry,' before moving onto the next question.
Robinho's been attacked from various quarters back in his homeland, from journalists to the chairman of his former club. Even the great Pelé, normally a man to choose his words carefully when speaking in public, has voiced his opinion in British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, that 'Chelsea are lucky [to have lost out on the player] - this is a boy who needs serious counselling.'
Coming from a man many rate as the greatest player of all time, any criticism would sting, but in this case it's particularly striking given that, during Robinho's time in the youth set-up at both his and Pelé's former club Santos, Pelé claimed that 'watching Robinho reminds me of myself at the same stage of my career.' Such a turnaround in opinion might make some of the winger's new fans at City wonder what a good signing they've really got.
For their part, Santos have been scathing in their criticism of Robinho for the manner in which he forced his exit from Real Madrid. When Madrid were negotiating with the Brazilian club to buy the player in 2005, Santos didn't want to sell, but found their hand forced when Robinho refused to play for them in the Brazilian championship.
The reaction in the coastal city to their former player's latest move has been one of 'what goes around, comes around.' They're thinking of both Madrid and Robinho, with the Spanish club having been forced to sell thanks to the player's behaviour, whilst the boy himself, whose desire to join compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea was no secret, has failed to get the move he so desired. All the same, in spite of being 'ashamed to have produced a player like this,' in the words of current manager Márcio Fernandes, Santos will still be quite happy to pocket just shy of €2 million due to an agreement with Madrid that gives his former club 4% of any transfer fee.
Some of the most poisonous attacks, though, have come from the Brazilian fans themselves. Comments on Brazilian website stories relating to Robinho's transfer variously accuse the player of being 'a lie' - that is, of failing to live up his reputation - and a mercenary, a 'terrible professional' for his conduct towards Real Madrid in the saga. One respondent claimed that 'to be the best player in the world, first he's got to return to a team who are playing in the Champions League.'
The point was one wholeheartedly agreed with by Paulo Vinicius Coelho, one of the country's most respected sports writers, who wrote that: 'At Chelsea, Robinho would have been on course to become the best in the world. At Manchester City, no chance. He's not going to fight for a title, he's not going to be in the Champions League.'
There have been very few defenders, and those writing rather half-heartedly, in the comments sections, whilst talk of the English league getting a 'great player' has been given short shrift, with one fan claiming on Vinicius Coelho's blog for ESPN Brazil that, 'before Robinho appears in a list of great players, you'd have a load of Argentines, some Dutchmen, one Portugese, and many Brazilians who are serious and professional [in their approach].'
The identity of the Portugese in that list might yet prove Robinho's biggest stumbling block if he wants to become a Premier League legend. The player in question is, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, who playing his club football just across Manchester from Robinho's new home ground, was the player Madrid wanted to get in as an improvement to their squad over - that's right - Robinho himself.
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Cristiano Ronaldo: Robinho's nemesis and now crosstown rival.
That article concluded by pointing out that whilst Ronaldo will be helping Manchester United to defend their Champions League crown, Robinho will be starting his continental campaign with a two-legged tie against Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus for a place in the UEFA Cup.
For every excited English fan, then, it seems there are ten Brazilians who are rather less impressed with Robinho's qualities. He arrives at Eastlands a hero but back home, despite his continued presence in the national side's starting lineup, it's clear he's got plenty of work to do to if he's going to win over the Brazilian public.
Living up to the English hype will be a tall enough order, one would think, but for Robinho, changing his countrymen's opinion of him might take something even more spectacular.
source: Sam Kelly Soccernet
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