Robinho lifts the lid on treatment by prison guards and claims he’s a ‘leader’ behind bars

Former Manchester City player Robinho has been serving a nine-year sentence in Brazil’s famous ‘celebrity prison’ after being found guilty of raping a woman in 2013

Shamed former footballer Robinho has denied claims that he enjoys special privileges in prison, branding them as “lies”. The former Brazil international, 41, is currently serving a 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 continues to plead 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 is being held at Dr Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado Prison in the state of Sao Paulo, more commonly known as P2 Tremembe. The facility has earned the nickname ‘Brazil’s prison for famous people’, housing 430 inmates in cells varying in size from nine to 15 square metres, each able to accommodate up to six people.

It has been reported that Robinho recently requested a prison transfer, which was rejected by Brazilian courts. Now, the Taubaté Community Council, a non-profit organisation created by Judge Sueli Zeraik to support the judiciary, has released a video in which Robinho refutes claims of receiving preferential treatment or suffering from any psychological issues.

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.

READ MORE: Robinho’s one year in prison – Job behind bars, new company launch, family visitsREAD MORE: ‘I was given the boot by Man City despite years of loyalty – I wasn’t particularly welcome’

“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 clarified: “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 like Luiz Estevao, celebrities such as Antonio Marcos Pimenta das Neves and notorious murderers, including Alexandre Nardoni, Cristian Cravinhos (the Von Richthofen murderer), Roger Abdelmassih and Lindemberg Alves, who were convicted of crimes such as rape, kidnapping and murder.

Robinho became a Manchester City player in September 2008, when Emirati Royal Sheikh Mansour marked his purchase of the club by splashing out £32.5million for the Brazilian star. Already a big name at Real Madrid, Robinho’s arrival at City was a landmark moment, marking the club’s first major signing of the new era, having been one of the world’s top talents before his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2005.

The transfer signalled the beginning of City’s plan to attract high-profile players and launch a project that would outshine Manchester United in the years to come. Robinho, then 24, spent a year and a half at City.

He made an immediate impact, scoring 15 goals and assisting nine more in his debut season under Mark Hughes. However, his early promise faded, and Robinho was allowed to leave on loan after less than two years with the club, eventually making 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.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.