Brazil drops injured Robinho

23.07.2008

Robinho has been dropped from the Brazilian Olympic team after Real Madrid said a medical examination discovered the striker has a groin injury.

Brazil coach Dunga has summoned 21-year-old Cruzeiro midfielder Ramires as Robinho’s replacement. The Brazilian football confederation criticised the Spanish club and said the decision was a “disrespect to the entity, to football and to Brazilian fans.”

Brazil physiotherapist Luiz Alberto Rosan said he knew of Robinho’s injury, but that the player would have had time to heal before the Olympic tournament. The Spanish powerhouse said the injury was discovered when the player arrived for a medical examination and light training along with most of the club’s squad.

“The best thing for the player is to complete preseason training with the squad where he will be given rehabilitation tailored to his injury and where he will be under constant supervision,” the club said.

The 24-year-old forward said he was disappointed about having to miss the Beijing Games. “Unhappily, I can’t go with Brazil to the games, but it is Real Madrid’s decision and I respect it,” Robinho said. Robinho’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, said he has never seen the player “so sad.”

“He is an extremely happy person,” Ribeiro told the UOL Web site. “The last time I saw him like this was when his mother was kidnapped.”