Robihno

Obviously, I hope Brazil win, but it is not going to be as easy as it seems. This is more a thing the Brazilian press is suggesting. In any competition that Brazil enter, we are favourites. Even in 2002, when the Brazilian press was not convinced of our chances, here in Europe, everyone pointed us out as one of the favourites. But we, the players, can't in any way think that winning a World Cup is going to be easy. We have to be careful with so many things. This favouritism is one of them. We can't lose the focus.

Who will be this year's dark horses? England. Although they have had some bad moments, I think the English team are very, very strong.

We can't forget Italy and Argentina as well - they are both very good sides. And there is always a surprise, but obviously I don't know which team is going to be the surprise package. Who will be the outstanding player of the 2006 World Cup? I hope it will be a Brazilian, because usually the best player of the World Cup comes from the winning team.

Which young player should we look out for at the World Cup?

I would keep my eyes open for my fellow Brazilian Robinho, my AC Milan team-mate Alberto Gilardino and also Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal.

How do you think England will perform?

I don't know exactly what is going on with their squad, but what I know from having played against almost all of the English players is that they have a brilliant side individually.

The English midfield is amazing - so strong, really one of the best.

England are one of the favourites, in my opinion.

However, they are not the only rivals for Brazil, that is for sure.

What is your first World Cup memory?

I remember something of the 1990 World Cup, but almost nothing. I have only a distant memory of the match Brazil lost to Argentina, in the round of 16.

My first clear memory is of the 1994 World Cup in the United States. We won it!

I remember all the matches; that is a great first memory.

What's the best game you remember in a World Cup?

The World Cup final in Japan in 2002. We beat Germany 2-0.

I was there, so I can't forget this match and those images.

What's the best goal you've seen at a World Cup?

The best goal was Ronaldo's first in that final against Germany in 2002.

Who will be the top scorer of the 2006 World Cup?

I can't answer that. It is impossible. In seven games, anyone can be the top scorer of the tournament.

Who is the best player never to have won the World Cup? Zico. The 1982 tournament was a pity. We should have won.

Striker Robinho believes he'll start at least one of Brazil's World Cup matches in Germany.

Playing in his first World Cup, Robinho is the first in line to replace regular starters Ronaldo and Adriano during Brazil's bid to win a record sixth title at the June 9-July 9 tournament.

"In the national team, not always the eleven who begin the competition are the eleven who finish it," Robinho said Saturday. "I'm getting ready to play. In a World Cup several things may happen and I need to be prepared if an opportunity comes up."

The 23-year-old Robinho has been used by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in recent matches. He has scored five goals for Brazil in 18 matches. Brazil's fourth striker is Lyon's Fred.

Robinho was a starter when Brazil won last year's Confederations Cup. He replaced Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo, who was rested.

"We have excellent group of players and I respect everybody, but I'll be working hard to get my spot," Robinho said.

Robinho transferred from Brazil's Santos to Real Madrid last July in a deal reportedly worth US$30 million (?23.4 million).

Brazil will play friendlies in Switzerland - against FC Lucerne on May 30 and against New Zealand on June 4 - before moving to Germany in early June.

It will debut in the tournament against Croatia on June 13, then will face Australia on June 18 and Japan on June 22.

Robinho insists he is happy just to be a part of Brazil's World Cup squad regardless of whether he starts in Germany.

The 22-year-old Real Madrid forward is just one of an array of attacking stars for the defending champions and is vying for a place in coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's so-called 'magic square'.

This involves playing two strikers with two playmakers in behind, but Robinho is content to miss out if it means Brazil retaining the trophy.

"I'll be happy, if I am a starter or not," he said ahead of the squad's flight to Switzerland, where they will begin their preparations for the tournament.

"The most important thing is to show that I want to play."

Robinho is unconcerned about playing second fiddle to Ronaldo and Adriano, the attacking duo already named by Parreira as starters.

"Since I was a child, I've dreamed of being in the national team," he said.

"I have the chance to play my first World Cup and I hope to bring good results back to Brazil.

"I'll be as happy as I've always been."

"Even if I don't play, I'll inject strength to my team-mates. I'm ready and these training days will be useful to prepare myself more."

Despite being favourites to win their sixth World Cup, Robinho has echoed his coach's sentiments that the world champions need "humility on the pitch to beat our opponents".

Brazil will play two games in Switzerland, the first against regional team Luzern on May 30, and the second against New Zealand five days later.

Real Madrid phenom Robinho admitted he was over the moon with his inclusion to Carlos Alberto Parreira’s World Cup squad and ready for duty.

"It is something incredible to have been called up by the coach, with so many important players in the team," he exclaimed. "We have the best team in the world and I am ready when Parreira needs me."

"We have a team with a lot of experience," said the youngster. "We all know how to play with pressure on our shoulders and everyone is expecting Brazil to be the champions."

Real Madrid manager Juan Ramon Lopez Caro and their Brazilian striker Robinho spoke to the press ahead of Wednesday evening's Champions League clash with Arsenal at Highbury.

Robinho discussed:

• Whether he will be in Real's starting XI at Highbury
• The importance of the match on Real's season
• Fellow Brazilian striker Ronaldo
• His recollections of the first-leg

Lopez Caro spoke about:

• Arsenal's work-rate in the first-leg
• Madrid's attacking philosophy
• Real's need to be 'courageous'
• Ronaldo's absence from Real's last league game
• and lots more ahead of the decisive encounter

Place of birth

Sao Vicente (Brazil)

Date of birth:

25/01/1984

Weight:

62 Kg

Height:

172 cms

Magic, surprise, art, and quality: Top class football. Step overs, interceptions, goals, assistances… It’s Robson de Souza, Robinho, the new pearl (at only 21 years of age) of Real Madrid, and who in his own country is already being compared to Pelé. Audacity or reality, what is for sure is that this forward leads the arrival of a new generation of Brazilian forwards. Despite his youth, he triumphed at Santos, and also managed to open the doors to the ultimate team. Now he wants to conquer Europe, and to make his dreams a reality he has chosen the Madrid squad.

At the age of six, he demonstrated an ability far beyond his years and in 1993, at the age of nine, he scored 73 goals in indoor football, with thePortuarios, a team which was proclaimed vice-champions of Sao Paulo. “There are footballers who are born with a gift for football and God gave it to Robinho”. The words of Betinho, the footballing father of the new Madrid player, in an interview with the footballing paper AS. His step-overs and his dribbling brought him the attention of the big Brazilian clubs and ended up signed for Santos. He joined the lower level of this club, in which que Pelé, Pepe, Dorsal, Mengalvio, Coutinho… were launched to fame in the sixties. Wearing the white shirt of Santos he got his first accolade when he was proclaimed Under-17 Sao Paulo champion.

His happy character (he’s always playing jokes on his firends) and his artistic manner in which he plays his football has captivated everyonne, including Pelé. Moment after meeting a Robinho O’ Rei said: “This lad will bring us a load of pleasure”. The declaration was not for nothing. He was climbing high and the Santos first team opened its doors to him. With them, the new signing for Real Madrid, joining in 2005, won the Brazilian Championship.

After graduating with Santos he won the right to wear the ultimate green and yellow shirt, where he shared a dressing room with his friend Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo (he’s his role-model), Emerson, Ronaldinho, Kaká… All of Europe turned their heads to look at the new genius, which led to siren calls from England, Spain… but his heart chose and he chose the White.