Robinho: Santos is my home

(GSM) – Manchester City’s on-loan forward Robinho has admitted that he would rather remain with Santos than head back to Eastlands. Robinho moved to Santos in January on loan after Roberto Mancini took over as City boss with the Brazilian struggling to hit his best form.

The Brazilian, who was once tagged the new Pele, is now hoping that a stint with his former team will help to revive his World Cup dreams and allow him to rediscover his best form.

Robinho went down the pecking order at the City of Manchester and was unhappy at not being given his desired freedom on the pitch.

But while City have always insisted that they expect the 26-year-old playmaker to return to England at the end of the season, Robinho has revealed that he would prefer to secure a permanent switch to Santos, having grown disillusioned with life outside the Brazilian borders.

“Santos is my home, I feel great here. I love playing for Santos. I’m in my country and close to my family. I want to stay here for as long as I can,” he said.

However, Robinho had words of gratitude for his employers in England, praising their behavior after they showed faith in his abilities following his switch from Madrid.

“If it was up to me I’d stay here for the rest of my career but I have a contract with Manchester City and I shouldn’t forget that the club have behaved really well towards me.

“City welcomed me and showed faith in me. It was very different to the last year I spent in Madrid.

“They wanted to buy another player, they wanted Cristiano Ronaldo. They treated me like I was a nobody. I was very hurt.

“Then the signing of Ronaldo didn’t come off and they reconsidered the situation. But I didn’t want to continue there.

“I wanted to leave Madrid but maybe if I had gone to another club it would have been better for me.

Robinho once again said that he feels that he will be the best player in the World Cup and sees himself lifting the World Cup with Brazil in South Africa this summer.

“I want to be the best player in the World Cup. I see myself lifting the World Cup.”