Robino career fact file

Here's a look at the career time line of Robinho, the man who has sent shock waves around the world.
Robson de Souza Fact File1984: Born January 25, São Vicente, Brazil1990: Signs for local footballing academy Beira-Mar, where he wins the championship in his first year.1993: At a tender age of just nine, Robinho scores 73 goals for the "Portuários" futsal team.2002: Aged 18, he signs professional terms with Brazilian outfit Santos, making 24 appearances and scoring 9 goals to help Santos win the 2002 Campeonato Brasileiro.2003: Makes Brazil debut in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup match on July 13 against Mexico in a 1-0 loss.2004: Suffered personal anguish after his mother, Marina da Silva Souza was kidnapped by gunmen at her Praia Grande home on November 6 but was thankfully released after 6 weeks when ransom was paid.2005: Joins Real Madrid in July for US$34 million and makes debut against Cádiz CF, in August 28 in a 2-1 win.2006: Was only a substitute in four of Brazil's 5 World Cup matches in Germany, without scoring a goal.2007: Won Copa America with Brazil winning the golden boot with six goals scored as well as being named the best player of the tournament.2008: Dropped a bombshell on Real Madrid after insisting his desire to leave the club, even holding a press conference on 31st August declaring his wish to join Chelsea.2008: Stuns footballing world when he joins Manchester City, in a deal worth US$64 million, making him the highest earner in the Barclays Premier League at a staggering US$320,000 a week.

Thursday 4th September 2008
by www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league

Football

Villa at home in Valencia

Valencia forward David Villa insists that he "would never do to Valencia what Robinho has done to Madrid".
Villa became one of the most sought-after signings of the summer following his performance with Spain at Euro 2008, with Real Madrid in particular becoming strong candidates to land the 26-year-old.
However, he put an end to speculation over his future on August 27 by putting pen to paper on a deal which ties him to Valencia until 2014.
Madrid tried again to sign him at the 11th hour on transfer deadline day following the shock departure of forward Robinho to Manchester City.
But 'El Guaje' insists he could not leave his club in the same way Robinho left Madrid.
He told Spanish newspaper AS: "I would never do to Valencia what Robinho has done to Madrid, because I'm grateful to the club for everything they have done for me.
"I don't want to criticise Robinho because I don't know his situation, but I wouldn't have done it."
Villa also claimed he never had any intention of leaving Valencia despite the list of big names being linked to him.
He insists he left the club to deal with the entire transfer saga, and says the fact they chose not to sell him in spite of their financial difficulties showed him how much he was worth to his employers.
"I was never going to force Valencia to let me go," he explained.
"I feel great here, I owe so much to Valencia and it was always the club's decision. I stayed out of the way.
"I was really happy when Valencia rejected the offer, not for not going to Madrid, but because it was a sign of the confidence they had in me and I felt very valued.
"They chose to keep me instead of taking the money. Valencia valued me more.
"On the Wednesday at 1pm I accepted the offer over the phone. Then at 6pm I signed and for me that was that.
"I never asked for a pay rise, nor a contract extension. It was the club who offered these things to Silva and me after Euro 2008.
"It makes you feel important and loved and for me that's very important."

Thursday 4th September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga

Football

Nadal to face Murray in semis

World number one Rafael Nadal set up a US Open semi-final clash with Andy Murray by defeating Mardy Fish 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2.
Nadal has without question been the best player in tennis this year and last month overtook Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings, ending the Swiss star's four-and-a-half-year reign at number one.
The five-time grand slam champion earned that honour just a day after claiming his first gold medal at the Olympics, which marked his ATP-leading eighth title of the year.
Nadal went into this quarter-final clash against Fish having never lost to the American but suffered a setback when he lost the first set 6-3.
That proved to be the only blip for the 22-year-old, however, as he took the next two sets and in the seventh game of the fourth set broke Fish's serve to go 5-2 ahead.
He then closed out the match to secure a place in the last four where he will meet Murray, who Nadal defeated at the quarter-final stage at Wimbledon earlier this year.

Thursday 4th September 2008
by www.espnstar.com/tennis

Tennis

Poldi: Mistake to move to Bayern

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski has admitted it was a mistake to move to the Bundesliga champions two years ago.
The Germany international joined Bayern from Cologne in 2006 after being unable to prevent his hometown club from a second relegation to the second division in three years.
He had previously proved his pedigree with 10 goals in his first 19 Bundesliga games and a further 24 in the second division which earned him a place in the Germany national team - a place he has not since relinquished.
However, he has not managed to hold down a regular starting berth in the Bayern first team over the past two years and, despite impressing in pre-season, does not seem set to do so this season either.
"Obviously, it is not so much fun at Bayern right now," he said.
"If things go on like this then I will have to consider my options.
"I would be a bad footballer if I were to be happy with a place on the bench. I am not moaning, I am just angry not to be starting games."
The 23-year-old was the focus of intense transfer speculation this summer with Cologne eager to bring him back home.
In the end, no offer was actually put to Bayern, whose coach Jurgen Klinsmann had promised the slate had been wiped clean and Podolski was on a par with Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni in the battle for two places in his side's attack.
But after starting against Hamburg, when Toni was injured, Podolski has had to watch the last two Bundesliga games from the bench.
"I feel like I am on a big wheel - things keep going up and then down again," he explained in an interview with the Bild newspaper.
"I am disappointed with the situation. If I had known that it would go like this, then no, I would not have signed (for Bayern)."
Podolski's affection for Cologne remains strong, though, and should they be able to accumulate enough funds to buy him in January, the Germany striker would not think twice.
"Cologne would always be an option for me and everybody knows that," he added.
"If I were to receive offers, it would be negligent of me not to consider them.
"I have no fear of moving abroad either - anything is possible."
Bayern's next game is against Cologne and, should Podolski score, he has promised not to celebrate - like when he scored against Poland, his family's home country, at Euro 2008.

Thursday 4th September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Football