Robinho shows 'wee' bit of genius

SOME under-performing players need a boot up the backside, others; a little TLC.

Brazil striker Robinho is clearly in the latter camp as he marked his return to Santos with a brilliant back-heeled winner in their 2-1 away win over Sao Paulo in the Paulista championship on Sunday.

Freed from his almost anonymous existence at Manchester City, the flamboyant forward received a hero's welcome as he was helicoptered onto the pitch at Santos last week to start his six month loan spell with his first club.

All the public adulation bore fruit against Sao Paulo, where he came on as a substitute 13 minutes after half-time and with five minutes to go back-heeled Wesley's pass past goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni.

Robinho, looking to cement a place in Brazil's World Cup side, had already served notice his skills were undimmed despite a disappointing spell at City, when his shot at the end of a fine one-two with Neymar was saved at full stretch by the keeper.

"I lacked a bit more physical condition and rapport with those kids who play so well but thank God I could score a wee goal," Robinho was reported as saying – the translation apparently being done by a Scotsman.