Despite being one of Brazil’s youngest players, Robinho will be one of the team’s leaders when the Confederations Cup gets under way in South Africa.Robinho is only 25 years old, but is by far one of the most experienced players in Brazil’s squad for the competition that begins Sunday.
Along with Kaka and veteran team captain Lucio, Robinho will be in charge of trying to lead the Brazilian squad to its second consecutive Confederations Cup title.
“On the field, everybody has to (be the leader),” Robinho said Saturday. “But I’m much more mature now, more experienced. With time, you start getting a feel for what it is like to be playing for the national team.”
Only four players on the squad are younger than Robinho _ defender Miranda, midfielder Ramires, striker Alexandre Pato and forward Nilmar. But Robinho is the only player who was also with the team in the 2007 Copa America, the 2006 World Cup and the 2005 Confederations Cup.
Since Dunga took over the national team after the 2006 World Cup, Robinho is the player with the most caps. In 40 matches with Dunga in command, Robinho has missed only one _ a 2-0 loss to Portugal in a friendly in 2007. He is the team’s top scorer under Dunga with 13 goals.
The Manchester City forward knows his teammates are looking up to him in South Africa.
“The responsibility is greater now, there is no doubt,” Robinho said. “Each year you become more experienced, but the pressure also increases.”
Robinho, who made his international debut with the national team in 2003, said he is motivated. “My goal is to win the World Cup, and for this dream to come true I need to take advantage of my opportunity here and secure my spot for next year,” Robinho said.
The former Real Madrid striker scored a goal in Brazil’s last match _ a 2-1 win over Paraguay in South American World Cup qualifying on Wednesday _ but was cautious about promising more for the Confederations Cup.
“Every goal is important and I want to keep scoring,” Robinho said. “But we are at the end of the season and that makes things difficult to us. Hopefully with more practice time here in South Africa I can get in shape faster and do well in the Confederations Cup too.”
Brazil will debut on Monday against Egypt in a match Robinho calls “complicated.”
“Every opening match is difficult,” he said. “Especially because we still don’t know a lot about Egypt.”
Brazil then faces the United States and Italy in Group B. The top two teams in each of the two groups advance to the semifinals.
Robinho said he is not disappointed to have left Real Madrid after seeing that the Spanish club now acquired two of the world’s best players _ Brazilian teammate Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I have nothing against Madrid,” Robinho said. “I’m very thankful for them and I only wish them a lot of luck in this new phase.”
Robinho said he expects Kaka to become the world’s best player again after signing with Real Madrid.
“Kaka is an experienced player with quality to play anywhere,” Robinho said. “He can make history with Real Madrid too and I hope he can become the best in the world again there.”
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Nice, well resourced blog. I’m hoping that a supporter of the brazilian national team can tell me something about melo, as my club, Arsenal are rumoured to be buying him. Is he similar to gilberto? Better or worse? <