Robinho makes Milan pledge

By Football Italia staff

Robinho did consider a move to Santos, but has pledged his future to Milan, “the last European club of my career. I’ll score double figures this season.”

The Brazilian had been on his way back to Brazil this summer, but was suddenly yanked off the market once Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sold to PSG.

“It is true my old club worked hard to bring me back to Brazil, but in Europe there is only Milan for me,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“Was I tempted? Not particularly... There is time to return to Santos. I want to give a great deal here at Milan, which will be the last European club of my career.”

He was on the verge of being sold after a disappointing campaign in which he missed several open goals.

“I can guarantee this season you’ll see a similar Robinho to the first campaign, when we won the Scudetto.

“I’m sorry for Coach Massimiliano Allegri, as I let him down, but I was also unlucky. In the Scudetto season I scored 14 Serie A goals, then the next only six. I am ready to get back to scoring double figures.”

It has been called ‘Year Zero’ for the Rossoneri after the departure of stars like Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso.

“It will be a different Milan, but not necessarily a weaker one,” continued Robinho.

“This is a great club and it’s impossible for it to not be competitive. The fans are wrong to be sceptical, as there is a long way to go on the transfer market.

“Don’t forget this squad came first and second in Serie A over the last two years, playing in the Champions League. We must have faith.

“I think Alexandre Pato is Ibra’s heir, as he deserves it and now has the chance to do well with Brazil at the Olympics. I don’t think he’ll get this objective wrong.

“I would’ve liked to be at the Olympics too, but I didn’t play the way I should’ve done for Milan. It’s a pity, as that is an opportunity I probably won’t have ever again.”

Among the contenders for a spot in the Milan side is Real Madrid man Kaka.

“I would be very happy if Ricky returned to Milan. We were teammates in the Seleçao and could do great things together, especially as we both want to be protagonists in the Brazil World Cup in 2014.”

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