Robinho, whom Manchester City bought for $52 million from Real Madrid in 2008, said he's leaving England after he scored Man City's fourth goal in a 4-2 FA Cup win over Scunthorpe last weekend to join Santos, the Brazilian club that launched him to stardom.

"I am going through a bad period," he said. "[Man City coach] Roberto Mancini said I'd play one game and but not another. I didn't accept that and told him so. The directors all agree it's better to send me out on loan. It would be exceptional to return to Santos. Playing for Santos would help me in my path to the World Cup. It is my home. I know everyone."

Mancini said, "Robinho, for me, must stay. I see him with us for the rest of the season. He has said nothing to the contrary to me. If he doesn't appear in every game, there is a good reason. I have five or six excellent players competing for two or three positions up front. I cannot pick all of them all of the time. But Robinho's class is there for all to see. He's a top player for us."

 

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