Was once Real Madrid's star 10 years ago but ended up being a traveler than a football genius, now in GUANGZHOU CHINA!!

A lot has changed since Robinho made his European football debut for Real Madrid in August 2005. Barcelona have won the European Cup four times since then and will win the FIFA Club World Cup for an unprecedented third time if things to plan for them in Japan over the next five days.


The now 31-year-old forward will line up against Barca on Thursday (10.30am UK time) in the International Stadium in Yokohama in the Club World Cup semi-finals. He was Madrid's star turn a decade ago now he is the main attraction in Luiz Felipe Scolari's Asia Champions.

Robinho never did quite become the new Pele, despite Pele himself predicting that was what was going to happen. The headline on Diario AS's front page after his debut was: 'And God created Robinho' but although he had made a spectacular start, coming on as a substitute and starring in Madrid's win over Cadiz, it was all down hill from there.

Barcelona will face a familiar foe when they take on Robinho's Guangzhou at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Robinho will be hoping to inspire the Chinese side to a shock win over Barca during Thursday's semi-final.

The 31-year-old Brazilian showcases his impressive skills during Tuesday's training session in Tokyo.

Barcelona had a slightly better Brazilian in the shape of Ronaldinho at the time, and in his shadow Robinho suffered at Real Madrid until he moved to Manchester City in 2008... where he suffered some more.

He will be 32 next month and he has clocked up 577 games during a career that has also taken him back to his first club Santos on loan and to Milan. He ended up more journeyman than genius but Guangzhou's riches and his connection to Scolari have meant he has earned a £2.2million pounds six-month contract in China.

Money is no object for Guangzhou who also signed Paulinho from Tottenham for £9.8m last summer. With the former Spurs man on the pitch and Scolari in the dug-out there is a distinctive Brazilian feel to the team who have won the last five Chinese Super Leagues. Other Brazilians include midfielders Rene Junior and Ricardo Goulart and forwards Elkerson and Alan Carvalho. The latter, known just as Alan, spent five seasons at Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga and will provide Barcelona's back four with their biggest test.

 

Robinho's (left) time at Real was always overshadowed by the feats of compatriot Ronaldinho at Barcelona.

After leaving Real for Manchester City - Robinho's start to his £32million move helped galvanise the club.

However, the flamboyant forward's time at The Etihad gradually worsened and was eventually sold to AC Milan

They have been warned not to take their opponents lightly. Experienced Spanish coach Gregorio Manzano, who managed Beijing Guoan in China said: 'Barca need to be very careful with Guangzhou. They have the big name foreign players but they also have most of the China national side. Scolari will set them up defensively and they will make it difficult for Barcelona.'

And Sergio Busquets added: 'We know how dangerous they are. They have surprised everyone by beating America to get this far.' That 2-1 win in the quarter-finals secured by a stoppage time goal by Paulinho after Zheng Long had cancelled out Oribe Peralta's opener leaves them 90 minutes from the final but they face a Barcelona side out to make history.

Luis Enrique's team will become the first side to win the tournament in its current format three times if they win Sunday's final which is expected to be against River Plate who play Japanese Champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the other semi-final.

And don't let players and supporters from either side hear you say this is the least important of the all the international club trophies. 'This is a very difficult trophy to win because you have to win the Champions League to even compete in it,' said Busquets.

River Plate, meanwhile, have 15,000 supporters in Osaka to watch their semi-final on Wednesday.

Guangzhou are managed by former Brazil boss Luis Felipe Scolari - who has side well-organised defensively.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets says he and his side are aware of the threats of Thursday's opponents.

Former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho (right) scored an injury-time goal to put Guangzhou through to the semis.

Paulinho (centre) was mobbed by his team-mates after his decisive goal in their 2-1 win over America.

Credits: Mail online

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