Robinho, Brazilian footballer

Robson de Souza, widely recognized by his common name Robinho (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʁɔˈbĩɲu]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer born on 25 January 1984. Primarily playing as a forward, he was renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills, flair, and ability to create scoring opportunities, traits that made him one of the most exciting talents of his generation.

Early Career and the "New Pelé" Endorsement

Robinho first garnered significant international attention in 1999, at the remarkably young age of 15, when legendary Brazilian footballer Pelé publicly identified him as his "heir apparent." This extraordinary endorsement from a global icon, particularly one synonymous with Santos FC, immediately placed immense expectations on the prodigious talent, fueling the narrative of a successor to Pelé's legacy.

Emergence and Dominance at Santos FC

In 2002, Robinho played a pivotal role in leading Santos FC to their first Campeonato Brasileiro Série A title since Pelé himself graced the club's fields in 1968. This historic achievement, ending a 34-year drought for one of Brazil's most traditional clubs, cemented Robinho's status as a true star. His dynamic performances, characterized by intricate dribbling, audacious skills, and crucial goals, were instrumental in this success. He later contributed to Santos winning a second Campeonato Brasileiro title in 2004, further solidifying his domestic legacy before moving to European football.

European Success and International Acclaim

Robinho's exceptional talent naturally led him to Europe's top leagues, where he continued to collect major club honors and represented his national team with distinction.

Triumphs in Spain and Italy

Representing the Brazilian National Team

At the international level, Robinho was a prominent figure for the Brazilian national team, contributing to several major tournament victories and participating in two FIFA World Cups.

Legal Conviction for Sexual Assault

Despite his significant achievements on the field, Robinho's career and public image have been severely impacted by a serious legal conviction in Italy.

In 2017, an Italian court delivered a conviction against Robinho for sexual assault. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the gang rape of a 23-year-old Albanian woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013. This grave incident initiated a lengthy legal process through the Italian judicial system.

The initial conviction by the court was subsequently upheld by the Milan Court of Appeals in December 2020, which reaffirmed the original verdict after a thorough review. Finally, in January 2022, Italy's top court, the Court of Cassation, definitively upheld the conviction. This final ruling rendered the verdict unappealable under Italian law and activated an international arrest warrant for Robinho. However, as Brazil's constitution generally prohibits the extradition of its own citizens, he has not been imprisoned in Italy, which has created a significant legal and diplomatic impasse regarding his sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robinho's Conviction

What was Robinho convicted of?
Robinho was definitively convicted by Italian courts of sexual assault, specifically for his involvement in the gang rape of a 23-year-old Albanian woman that occurred in a Milan nightclub in 2013.
When did the conviction become final?
The conviction became final and unappealable in January 2022, when Italy's highest court, the Court of Cassation, upheld the previous rulings by the Milan Court of Appeals (December 2020) and the initial court (2017).
Why hasn't Robinho been imprisoned in Italy?
Despite the definitive conviction and an international arrest warrant issued by Italy, Robinho has not been imprisoned because Brazil's constitution generally prohibits the extradition of its own citizens. This legal principle has prevented his transfer to Italy to serve his sentence.