From Football Star to Prison: Robinho’s New Reality One Year into Nine-Year Sentence

Former Football Star’s Fall from Grace

Former soccer star Robinho began serving a nine-year prison sentence in his native Brazil on Thursday, more than 10 years after he was first accused of raping a woman in Italy.

The Case and Conviction

The former Brazil international, Robson de Souza, known as “Robinho,” was found guilty by an Italian court in 2017 of taking part in the gang rape of an Albanian woman celebrating her 23rd birthday at a Milan nightclub. He lost an appeal in 2020 and had his sentence upheld by Italy’s highest court in 2022.

Life in Prison

Currently detained at the Tremembe penitentiary in Sao Paulo, a prison known for housing high-profile inmates, including corrupt politicians and convicted murderers, Robinho has embraced prison life with a focus on rehabilitation. He reportedly maintains good relationships with other inmates and is considered a model prisoner. His daily routine includes playing football, reading, gardening and learning how to repair electronics such as televisions and radios.

Rehabilitation Efforts

As part of his rehabilitation program, Robinho can reduce his sentence by one day for every 12 hours worked. He has completed a 600-hour electronics course and now fixes radios and televisions inside the prison. He has also completed the 10 modules of the Education for Work and Citizenship program.

Legacy and Career

Robinho’s football career was once flourishing. He began at Santos, before playing for Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan. He later had stints in China (Guangzhou Evergrande), Brazil (Atlético Mineiro), and Turkey (Sivasspor, İstanbul Başakşehir). Throughout his career, Robinho won multiple domestic titles, played 100 matches for Brazil, scored 28 goals and won the 2007 Copa América.

Current Situation

Upon arriving in prison, Robinho spent 10 days in solitary confinement before being transferred to a shared cell with a 22-year-old inmate. The facility accommodates approximately 2,500 detainees, with small cells ranging from 8 to 15 square meters, housing up to six people in a single space. During Christmas, while many prisoners were temporarily released for 11 days, Robinho did not qualify for this privilege and was unable to spend the holidays with his wife Vivian and their three children.