Courtesy: Manchester Evenings News


Robinho: My Blue heaven

Chris Bailey

15/11/2008

ROBINHO has set his heart on winning the UEFA Cup and then writing his name in City's history books as one of the club's all-time heroes.

The superstar Brazilian says he is loving life in Manchester and, despite an up and down start to the campaign in terms of results, he is confident the Blues can emerge as real contenders for the European silverware that will be handed over in Istanbul in May.

And the bookmakers seem to agree with the attacking midfielder quoting the Blues as joint second favourites for the competition ahead of the arrival of the Champions League rejects at the last 32 stage.

Britain's most expensive player opened his European account for Mark Hughes' men in the 3-2 win over Dutch side FC Twente.

Robinho's wonder strike from just outside the penalty area took his tally to an impressive seven goals in just 11 league and cup starts following his deadline day dash from Real Madrid and then he added another in the defeat to Spurs.

He believes he can go on to score 30 goals this season and, even if he does reach his lofty target, the 24-year-old who was born near Santos, insists he will be happier for the team than himself.

"We can win the UEFA Cup, it is one of our targets for this season," insisted the £32m man.

"We know we are a side that is developing and growing but we also know we are capable of great things when we play well.

"The rest of the players and myself admire the ambitions of the owners of this club.

"We all want to strive to make it one of the best in the world.

"I want to stay here for many years and make history at City and become one of the great heroes. Doing well in the UEFA Cup would be a great start.

"I like the way the game is played here. You still get great goals and great movement.

Physical

"It is a physical game here in England but I can cope with it.

"I am adapting well to life here. I get on well with my teammates, they are good players, and I am learning the language.

"Being here will improve my game.

"I have great ambitions for the team and myself. I want to be the best player in the world and for City to be one of the best teams."

When the Blues are on top of their silky smooth, beguiling passing game then Robinho is always likely to be at its epicentre, as he proved with his Premier League hat-trick against Stoke City at the end of last month.

He admitted that scoring goals gives him the ultimate football thrill but stresses that he is a team man at heart.

"Obviously it is great to score three times in one game but it is more important that City get the same number of points," he smiled.

"Goals have always been a thing of beauty to me along with taking on opponents; those are the things I enjoy most and I have done since I was a boy just starting in the game.

"I have fought hard to be good at those things since I was a young boy I always wanted to become a professional footballer.

"It is the dream of most boys in Brazil. I have taken my chances when I have had them."

Robinho believes that playing Futsal for Portuários as a youngster played a big part in putting him on the road to success and stardom.

Futsal, which is currently booming in popularity, is an indoor version of football. Its name is derived from the Portuguese futebol de Salao (indoor football).

It is played on a hard court surface without walls or boards between two teams of five players and up to seven substitutes per team.

The ball used is smaller with less bounce than a regulation football. The rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.

"Futsal helped me a lot, a lot of things I do on the pitch today stem from my days playing Futsal," reckoned Robinho. "It is a really enjoyable way of playing football and increasing your skills. Even now when I go home for my holidays I like to play.

"As for the technical ability I possess I don't think you can teach some of it. Certain people have god-given talent and I am lucky to be have given some that I do not waste. Even so I am always looking to improve.

"I am constantly working at my game. You cannot afford to stand still. Everything needs to improve, shooting with both feet and scoring with my head! My inspiration is just looking at the ball. It is all I need."





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com