Robinho reliant

Last updated: 15th November 2007

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Robinho: Man of the moment

It all started with that famous party of 40 condoms and clearly the party has helped Robinho to relax.

Guillem Balague
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Guillem Balague reckons Robinho has emerged as Real Madrid's star player after a sizzling display against Real Mallorca last week.

Robinho was at the centre of a controversy earlier this season when he reportedly asked for 40 condoms during a fiesta in Brazil and later missed his flight home to Spain, along with several of his international team-mates.

But Guillem thinks the Brazilian has proven himself since then and is currently the most important player in Bernd Schuster's side after Sunday's 4-3 win over Mallorca.

"It all started with that famous party of 40 condoms and clearly the party has helped Robinho to relax," Guillem joked on Revista De La Liga.

"But the fact is he has become Real Madrid's star of the moment.

"If you look at the Spanish newspaper Marca it says Real are teaching Barcelona a lesson in terms of commitment and attitude and claims Real are playing better football with Robinho as the star.

"Another newspaper, AS, talks about him being the signing of the winter and reckons Real don't need any new players because Robinho is the man.

"He's scored four goals in four games, scored two and got one assist in the last game against Mallorca and that was a very difficult game for them because Sergio Ramos and Guti were out.

"But Robinho appeared and took Real to victory."

Impressive

Guillem has also been impressed by Real's ability to collect points, even though they haven't been at their best this campaign.

"In terms of points they have more at this stage than they have had in any season since 1992," he added.

"They won the league last year with 76, but are on course to finish with 88 this time.

"They are getting the results, they are getting the stats, but interestingly Bernd Schsuter is saying they are still a work in progress.

"Things are improving at the back despite what happened this weekend, but he says they need to work better up front and impose the Schuster style more. But in the meantime they are top of the table."