Robinho Poised to Reach New Heights
| 7
|
by Ea34
This was a very difficult article for me to write. Ever since I first saw highlights of his play, I have been totally convinced that Robinho will emerge as one of the great stars of his generation. I’d harbored a fantasy in which, after years of underachievement, Real Madrid would feel they no longer required his services, allowing FC Barcelona to swoop in and sign him just before he blossomed into superstardom. I suppose there is still a chance of these events coming to fruition, but it is ever shrinking. Sadly, it looks as though we may be on the cusp of watching Robinho take that leap- with (ugh!) Real Madrid. All the same, he is far too good to ignore.
At just 23 years old, Robinho has already spent an inordinate amount of time in the spotlight. He joined the youth program of Santos, one of Brazil's best-known professional clubs and the club with whom the King of football, Pele, spent his entire Brazilian career, at age 9. Over the years, due to his relatively small frame and masterful ball skills, combined with his relationship with Pele during his time in Santos' youth program, Robinho was inevitably tabbed "the next Pele." Despite an excellent record in his four years at Santos, scoring 60 goals in just 137 games, as well as being named 2005 World Soccer Young Player of the Year and securing a big money transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid, Robinho had yet to confirm his superstardom on the global stage. Following the 2007 Copa America, this could no longer be said, as Robinho’s game grew before our eyes.
Given the opportunity to grab the spotlight for his national team, Robinho, Brazil's prodigiously gifted forward, led his side admirably and established himself as the premier superstar of the 2007 Copa America tournament. With All-Universe midfielders Ronaldinho and Kaka asking out of the competition, citing fatigue, the door was left wide open for the emergence of a new Brazilian superstar on the international stage. Robinho, the most talented and highest profile member of this side, stepped into this role as fluidly as he steps over his dribbles on the pitch, scoring an amazing six goals in a three game stretch, netting all four goals in back-to-back victories against Chile (3-0) and Ecuador (1-0), and adding two more in a 6-1 thumping of Chile in the tournament's quarterfinal. With the exception of its 2-0 opening match loss to Mexico, Brazil produced an impressive march to the tournament title, due in large part to a world-class effort from Robinho, who transitioned smoothly from Real Madrid's championship run in the Spanish Primera Liga to the Copa America. Robinho's solid performance in Real Madrid's championship run in La Liga was apparently just a taste of the bigger-and-better things that were to come. While it's true that even in the absence of Ronaldinho and Kaka, Brazil's Copa America side was hardly devoid of world-class talent, featuring, among others, talents like Arsenal's Gilberto Silva, Werder Bremen midfielder Diego, as well as Anderson, a recent big-dollar addition to English champions Manchester United. With that said, Robinho's outstanding performance in the tournament put him at the forefront of the Brazilian team in the 2007 Copa America- and maybe beyond. Robinho is at a stage in his career where he is more likely to take command of a team than at any time in the past.
After a miraculous rise from the ashes to claim the 2006-07 La Liga title, Real Madrid will need some serious help if they plan to repeat as champions. When Real Madrid kicks off its 2007-08 season against cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabéu on August 26, the search will be on to see who, if anybody, will step forward as the team’s second attacking threat. Aside from Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s impressive tally of 25 goals, no other Real Madrid player (Raúl) amassed more than 7 goals, with Robinho and Jose Antonio Reyes (now a member of Atletico Madrid) scoring six goals apiece. As always, Raúl will be a big part of the Real attack, as will newcomers Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) and Javier Saviola (Barcelona)- as will Robinho. With Raúl not getting any younger, Sneijder trying to get his bearings in Spain and Saviola not being a top-flight striker, Robinho will have the opportunity to assert himself as one of the world’s best. His physical gifts are second to none and the opportunity is there- Robinho just needs to seize it.
Following his greatest international triumph, which came on the heels of his first league championship is Spain, the stage is now set for Robinho's breakthrough. If his next 8 months of football are anything like the last 6, Robinho's star will spectacularly rise to new heights.
