Is Robinho as good as his agent says he is?

Filed in archive Transfer rumours on August 8, 2008

There is no doubt that Robinho is a fine player. He hasn't quite hit the heights as being one of the 'greats' yet but he is very, very good.

Having said that, it seems that he may have beliefs about his own ability that haven't really yet been proved on the pitch. Robinho's agent has revealed the Brazilian's anger and dismay at his treatment by Real Madrid, saying that he should be treated as the best player in the world, but they treat him just as a normal player.

The agent, Wagner Ribeiro, told reporters that Robinho has become completely disillusioned with life at the Bernabeu after the club's treatment of him this summer.

Now Chelsea have made a formal offer for Robinho the split between the player and Madrid has become even wider and the problems have now been exposed by Ribeiro.

Ribeiro said, "Robinho does not understand anything. He wants to be the best player in the world, but at Real Madrid he cannot achieve that because they treat him like a normal player. He has liked nothing about the way that Real Madrid have gone about their transfer activity this summer."

Madrid were reported to be ready to include Robinho in a swap deal with Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo and it is the Spanish club's pursuit of the Portuguese star that caused the problems, according to Ribeiro.

"Real Madrid wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and have not been able to. The second option was Van der Vaart. The third one was Villa and then in fourth place is Robinho. Things cannot be like that because he wants to be the best and he does not have the support at Real Madrid. He is also certain that Real Madrid is trying to sign David Villa."

So, I think we know where Robinho and his agent think they fit in the order of things!