Former Man City star Robinho hits back at 'lies' as he reveals how prison guards treat him

Former Man City forward Robinho is serving a lengthy sentence in Sao Paulo after being found guilty of raping a woman in 2013, with the Brazilian being housed in a 'prison for the famous'

Disgraced former footballer Robinho has hit back at claims that he receives special privileges in prison, labelling them “lies”.

The former Brazil international, 41, is a year-and-a-half into serving his nine-year prison sentence after being found guilty of rape by an Italian court in 2017.

After numerous appeals and attempts by the Italian court to extradite Robinho, who has maintained his innocence, he was found guilty of participating in the gang rape of a woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013. The former Manchester City winger only began serving his lengthy sentence in Brazil in March 2024.

The father-of-three has been behind bars at Dr Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado Prison in the state of Sao Paulo, better known as P2 Tremembe. It has been dubbed ‘Brazil’s prison for famous people’, with 430 inmates housed in cells ranging in size, from nine to 15 square metres, which can accommodate up to six people.

Robinho reportedly requested a prison transfer recently, which was turned down by Brazilian courts. And the Taubaté Community Council, a non-profit organisation created by Judge Sueli Zeraik to support the judiciary, has now published a video in which Robinho denies having privileges or receiving different treatment to other prisoners, with the former City star also denying claims that he suffers from psychological problems.

Robinho said: “I have never had any kind of benefit. Visits are on Saturdays or Sundays. When my wife doesn't come alone, she comes with my children. Visits are the same, and everyone is treated equally.

“My diet, my sleep schedule, everything is the same as for the other inmates. I have never eaten anything different, and I have never received different treatment. When it's time to work, I do everything the other inmates do. If we want to play football, it's allowed on Sundays, when there is no work.”

“The lies that have been circulating, that I'm a prison leader, that I have psychological problems, I've never had that. I've never had to take medication, thank God, despite how difficult it is to be in prison; but, thank God, I've always stayed sane, and I'm doing everything that all the other inmates also do,” he added.

The ex-Real Madrid forward explained that, in Tremembe prison, the aim is to re-educate and re-socialise those who have made mistakes. He explained: “I have never had any kind of leadership role here, or anywhere else. Here, the guards are in charge, as I already told you, and we, the inmates, just obey.

“I am not different because I was a footballer, quite the opposite. I’ve been here a year and a half and I’ve never had any type of quarrel, even in football when we have a game here.”

The prison houses politicians (Luiz Estevao), celebrities (Antonio Marcos Pimenta das Neves) and famous murderers such as Alexandre Nardoni, Cristian Cravinhos (the Von Richthofen murderer), Roger Abdelmassih (a doctor who abused 39 sedated patients), and Lindemberg Alves, who were convicted of crimes such as rape, kidnapping and murder.

Robinho joined Manchester City back in September 2008, with Emirati Royal Sheikh Mansour signalling his intent on the same day as he purchased the club by signing the Brazilian for a sum of £32.5million. The Brazilian, already an established star in Real Madrid's Galactico line-up, was a hugely exciting arrival as City's first big-name signing of the new era, having been one of the world’s biggest talents prior to his 2005 move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The transfer marked the start of City's strategy of attracting high-profile players and initiating a project that would rival and eclipse Manchester United in the following years. Robinho, who joined as a 24-year-old, spent 18 months at City.

He hit the ground running, netting 15 goals and setting up nine more in his debut season under Mark Hughes. However, his early promise didn't last, and Robinho was allowed to leave on loan after less than a year-and-a-half with the club, before finalising a permanent move to AC Milan at the end of the 2009/10 season.

He then had stints in China, Turkey and Brazil, with his last official club being his boyhood team, Santos, in 2020. His career ended with 100 appearances for Brazil, during which he scored 28 goals.

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