FACTBOX - Brazilian Forward Robinho

In January Robinho left Manchester City's training camp in Spain without permission to return to Brazil.

Factbox on Manchester City and Brazil forward Robinho, full name Robson de Souza, who has strongly denied any wrongdoing or criminality after his arrest over allegations of sexual assault on Wednesday.

THE NEW PELE?

* Born in Sao Vicente near Santos, Brazil, Jan. 25, 1984.

* Discovered by Santos in 1996 and started playing in club's junior divisions. Brazilian great Pele said Robinho reminded him of himself.

* Signed a professional contract with Santos in 2002 and in December the club beat Corinthians to win the Brazilian championship. Robinho performed seven stepovers to dupe a defender into conceding a penalty in one mesmerising moment -- a piece of trickery shown over and over again on television.

PLAYING FOR BRAZIL

* Robinho made his debut for Brazil in July 2003 and has now won 58 caps for his country.

* Helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup in 2005 but at the 2006 World Cup was a bit-part player as Brazil suffered a disappointing exit.

* Had a much happier experience at the Copa America in 2007, helping Brazil win it and finishing as the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

KIDNAPPING

In 2004 his mother Marina de Souza was kidnapped by two armed men from her house in Praia Grande near Santos and was held for a month before being released.

HEADING FOR EUROPE

* Signed a five-year deal with Real Madrid in 2005 after the Spanish club agreed to pay $30 million for him. Made a dazzling debut but struggled for the rest of the season.

* Sept. 2008, Real accepted 32.5 million-pounds offer from Manchester City for Robinho, who signed a four-year contract at the club bankrolled by new owners. Scored on his City debut in the 3-1 defeat by Chelsea.

OFF THE FIELD

* In January Robinho left Manchester City's training camp in Spain without permission to return to Brazil. Manager Mark Hughes said he would be disciplined.

* Jan 28. Robinho arrested and questioned by West Yorkshire Police and released on bail over allegations of a sexual assault in a nightclub. He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.