The son of Man City’s biggest transfer signing just made his Serie A debut, six years after his dad retired.
Manchester City recently faced a verdict on 115 charges, which has sparked a lot of public interest about the club’s finances since it was made public. Many people have been wondering what kind of punishment might come their way, but City insists they have “irrefutable evidence” proving their innocence.
One player who joined during this controversial time, and for a record transfer fee, has been focusing elsewhere—his son just made his Serie A debut with Genoa.
The Brazilian star joined Man City in September 2008 for a British record fee of £32.5 million, coming from Real Madrid. Robinho’s time at the club is often overlooked because it wasn’t very successful, but it showed the growing financial power of City. Chelsea was also interested in him back then, but he chose City instead.
Robinho’s two years at the Etihad Stadium didn’t go well, and he even went on loan to Santos in his second season. He made only 53 appearances and scored 16 goals before moving to AC Milan, where he spent four seasons. Now, his son Robinho Junior is starting his career in the same league with Genoa.
The 18-year-old came on as a late substitute in Genoa’s 2-0 loss to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. He joined Genoa on loan from Santos on transfer deadline day, with an option to buy for €8 million. Robinho Junior impressed in the youth team with three goals and an assist in just three games, earning a spot in Daniele De Rossi’s senior squad.
Robinho Sr had a solid four seasons in Serie A with AC Milan, playing 144 games and scoring 32 goals. He helped the team win the Serie A title and Supercoppa Italia in 2011. Milan had a strong attack that included stars like Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Filippo Inzaghi, and Alexandre Pato. While Robinho, Ibrahimovic, and Pato didn’t shine individually, their efforts helped secure the title, each scoring eight goals that season.
Though Robinho only won one Serie A title, it’s more than he achieved at Man City, where the team finished 10th in his only full Premier League season.