Brazilian forward Robinho’s club career seems to be taking new dimensions as he is reported to have agreed to join Turkish club Besiktas. Robinho has never really looked like the player we all came to love since his move from Real Madrid 2 years ago. In fact, after an amazing debut season, Robinho’s momentum fizzled out as injuries started taking a toll on him.
Robinho was loaned out to Santos by Manchester City in the beginning of the year however his spell came to an end and City expect him back in Eastlands very soon to discuss his future.
Watching Robinho’s club squabbles play out is very hard to take especially if you consider the amount of talent he has. As a one of his fans, i hate to admit it but should he move to Turkey then it would signal the beginning of the end of his career.
Manchester City have always maintained that if any club can meet anything close to the 32 million Pounds they paid to sign him from Real then, they would consider their offer.
Besiktas are reported to be willing to pay the Citizens 16 million Pounds upfront and then 10 million later. That is a very appealing offer considering that no other clubs are willing to pay that much for the star.
Besiktas seem to be building their own version of a spectacular sporting project. The Turkish club have already signed Guti and Quaresma. Moving back to City is not an option either with Balotelli (who scored on his debut), Tevez and Adebayor all fighting for a starting position, Robinho is not guaranteed regular playing time.
What makes this debacle very ironic, is the fact that Robinho plays brilliantly for his national team. Robinho is at a cross roads. The player who was once hand picked by the legendary Pele as his heir apparent is now just a pale shadow of the teen that took the world by storm as an 18 year old player eight years ago.
Is this the end of Robinho’s career? May be not but it will surely be very hard for him to re-establish himself as a top striker.
Photo credit: from Michael Diego
