Robinho, the former Manchester City footballer, is currently serving his sentence in Brazil, where he’s reportedly surrounded by some unsavory company.
He was sentenced to nine years in prison in March 2024 after a lengthy legal battle following his conviction for gang rape in Italy in 2017.
This stemmed from an incident in 2013, when Robinho and five other men assaulted an Albanian woman in a nightclub.
Life Behind Bars in Brazil’s Infamous Dr. Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado P2 Prison
Robinho is currently housed in the Dr. Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado P2 prison, located in Tremembé, São Paulo.
This facility is infamous for housing high-profile criminals, including a man who murdered his daughter, another serving 98 years for kidnapping and killing a 15-year-old girl, and a former doctor convicted for abusing sedated patients.
This prison is known as the “prison of the famous,” though its reputation for notoriety extends beyond just the well-known figures it holds.
Prisoners Create Their Own Offline Version of Tinder
Inside this notorious prison, an interesting and controversial practice has emerged.
Inmates, including Robinho, reportedly have access to an offline version of Tinder, which allows them to connect with women from a nearby women’s penitentiary.
The system involves prisoners exchanging photos and letters, with guards overseeing the interactions.
One high-profile example involved a woman, Jaqueline Moraes, who was jailed for stabbing her husband 56 times.
She was reportedly dumped by her prison beau, Vinicius Nunes, a man who had previously killed his brother, after he found her to be different from her photos.
Christmas Breaks: Robinho Left Out of Holiday Release
While many inmates enjoyed an 11-day release over Christmas, Robinho was not granted the same privilege.
His fellow prisoners, including Lindemberg Alves—convicted for kidnapping and murdering his girlfriend—were allowed to spend the holidays with their families.
Robinho, however, was not deemed eligible for this temporary freedom, meaning he missed out on family time with his wife Vivian and their three children in Santos.
The Long Road to Justice for Robinho
Robinho’s legal troubles have been ongoing for years.
Initially convicted in 2017 for the gang rape, it took a further seven years to bring him to justice.
Italian authorities had requested his extradition, but Brazil’s laws on extradition of native criminals complicated matters.
After a lengthy legal process, the Brazilian courts eventually sentenced Robinho in 2024.
The case gained further attention when it was revealed that intercepted phone calls played a crucial role in securing his conviction, with Robinho’s own words seemingly belittling the victim.
Robinho’s Football Career Comes to a Halt
At the time of the 2013 assault, Robinho was a rising star in football, playing for AC Milan.
His career spanned top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and AC Milan, where he made a significant impact on the field.
However, his involvement in the 2013 gang rape case, along with the public outcry over his signing, forced him to tear up a contract with Santos in 2020.
The move had sparked backlash, including the withdrawal of a major sponsor.
Despite the controversy, Robinho had once been considered one of Brazil’s brightest football talents, making 100 appearances for his national team.
The Unsettling Reality of Robinho’s Prison Life
Robinho’s time in prison has not been easy.
Reports indicate that he shares cramped cells measuring between 8 and 15 square meters, sometimes housing up to six inmates.
The facility holds around 2,500 prisoners, though it is notably devoid of gang leaders, who are kept out to prevent violence.
While Robinho remains behind bars, the once-celebrated footballer is now just another high-profile inmate in a notorious Brazilian prison, far removed from the football fields that once made him famous.
Robinho’s Involvement in the 2013 Rape Case and Its Aftermath
Robinho’s conviction stems from his involvement in the 2013 gang rape, an event that rocked both Italy and the football world.
In his appeal, Robinho admitted to having had contact with the victim but insisted that it was consensual.
However, the court upheld his conviction, finding that he had “belittled” and “brutally humiliated” the victim.
The case was bolstered by key evidence, including Robinho’s phone calls with others involved in the assault, where he downplayed the incident and made light of the victim’s state of intoxication.
Robinho’s Legal Challenges and the Road to Extradition
The road to Robinho’s current incarceration was long and complicated.
Although he was sentenced in 2017, it took years for Brazil to bring him to justice, with his extradition being a significant point of contention.
The Italian authorities fought for his extradition, but the Brazilian legal system ultimately ruled that he would serve his sentence in Brazil.
This legal battle was a key chapter in the former footballer’s downfall, as he went from being a celebrated athlete to a convicted criminal.
Robinho’s Football Legacy and Public Backlash
Once considered one of Brazil’s most promising football stars, Robinho’s career now stands overshadowed by his criminal convictions.
After a successful stint at Real Madrid and Manchester City, his later years in football were marred by scandal.
His contract with Santos in 2020 was met with outrage, leading to a public backlash that ultimately saw him tear up the agreement.
Despite his past achievements, Robinho’s legacy is now defined by his criminal conviction and the controversy that has followed him into prison.
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