Robinho said: “Of course I would like to play for Barcelona, who wouldn’t? We could really enjoy ourselves. It would be a pleasure to play alongside [Lionel] Messi, my compatriot [Dani] Alves, Xavi, [Andrés] Iniesta, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, everyone. They are a great team. I have played against them and I know all about their quality. But until now I have only been able to play with them on the PlayStation.”

“Pep Guardiola’s side is truly spectacular. It is an honour that a coach like Guardiola speaks highly of me, for him to rate me as highly as I have read that he does. I genuinely appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart.”

“I can assure you that right now my father, who is my only representative, hasn’t said anything to me about Barcelona. I don’t know anything, believe me. Besides, out of respect for Manchester City, the two clubs are the ones that should talk about my transfer or loan and then tell me [what they have decided]. It’s not right to talk about this hypothetical transfer or loan until there’s something more concrete.”

“It’s a question of sitting down and talking about it when there is a concrete and serious offer. Let me make one thing clear: I have a contract with City and as a professional I owe my allegiance to them.”

A lot of people did question his move to Manchester City when it did happen and those that said it would be a matter of time until he moved on again may be proved right. The point is that City pay Robinho a stupid amount of money that probably no other club would offer so he simply has to way up whether he is more of a football player or a mercenary.

He added: “It is no secret that [in the summer] there was clear interest from Barcelona in signing me but Manchester City didn’t want to negotiate. I was declared non-transferable and that’s the way it stays.”

“I’m concentrating on doing the best I can for City. We’re thinking big now. We have built a very strong side that has aspirations of winning the Premier League with Carlos Tevez, [Emmanuel] Adebayor, [Joleon] Lescott and [Gareth] Barry.”