Potential Can Be Misunderstood In Robinho's Case Was It Overrated?

Robson De Souza, more commonly known as Robinho, like many Brazilians, has pace, skill, eye for goal, and a deadly foot. Maybe throw in his dance moves, that might only be rivaled by Ronaldinho.

Robinho was spotted by Sao Paolo, the club that made Pele, when he was fifteen and didn't sign his first professional contract until he was seventeen. Robinho was named the heir to Pele's throne by Mr. Pele himself. Robinho has gone from grace to grass ever since. Well not ever since, but along the way.

He started his career very beautifully at Santos, scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances in his first season as Santos won the Campeonato Brasileiro. In 2004, he finished the season with 21 goals and won another title.

At this point, like most of the Brazilian superstars, he was snapped up by a big team. This time it was Ramon Calderon's Real Madrid, who signed another Brazilian starlet. He had above average seasons in Madrid, winning back to back titles for Real during the Capello and Bernd Schuster regimes.

He was arguably Madrid's best player in his three years at the club, or was he?

When the whole squad is analyzed, we find out that Madrids Galactico cycle was just ending and he was brought in to be the "next big thing". He did live up to expectations until Capelo started playing "boring football".

Robinho could have been the player to take Madrid to greater heights but he was benched in Capello's team because he was too flashy but the team won the league although he had a few cameo performances.

All changed for Robinho during the 07/08 season when Capello was fired, he became one of the crucial players in Madrid side that won La Liga. Ultimately, he finished in the top ten of both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Award nominations. You would expect even greater things from him next season.

But as politics are crucial in Spanish elections for club presidents, Calderon tried to get  Christiano Ronaldo to solidify his campaign and Robinho was not one of the players that Calderon wanted at the club, so  Robinho was used as bait to lure Ronaldo. As was expected, these actions annoyed Robinho.

During the summer of '08 Robinho wanted out. There was a tussle between Chelsea and Manchester City. Chelsea's new coach Scolari wanted him and failed to get him. Which leads to the debate. Would he have cut it at Chelsea? He was then shipped to Manchester Shi**ty ( I am an Arsenal fan).

I do not want to stay. I would rather be a travelling salesman, sell cakes in the fair, than remain at the club'. He told that to Calderon.

There ended his chances of ever winning the Ballon d'Or award. Or is all hope lost?

Robinho was very short-sighted when he came to Manchester, metaphorically speaking,

I can do it at Manchester City. I want to be the best in the world, win the World Cup and return to Santos and win the Copa Libertadores

He was quoted as saying after he signed for City, the season ended without City securing a place in Europe, now he is sucking up to Barcelona, as he is reportedly on their radar, unless he moves clubs in my opinion, we will just have another player that never was( although he has enjoyed success with Brazil)  and  also another failed Pele prediction. Did I mention he has the quickest feet, yeah right, like that gets you places.