Robinho has admitted he only knows one way to play football - and his declaration of intent towards what Pele christened the Beautiful Game will bring a smile of satisfaction to the face of every true Blues fan.

City's record signing planted a marker in the season just gone with 15 goals and a demonstration of his skills, and his latest performance for Brazil in the Confederations Cup certainly whets the appetite for the next campaign.

Robi contributed a typically lively display as well a splendid second goal to the 3-0 victory over the United States to take Brazil to the brink of the semi-finals out in South Africa then summed up his spirit.
 
He said: "We Brazilians play with joy in our hearts. It's the only way we know how to play, and it's the only way we can play well. Against the United States we showed our joy and expressed ourselves through our football. We hope to keep going and do it again and again here in South Africa.

"Just to wear the canary-yellow jersey of Brazil is an absolute honour. It's something that you dream about from when you're a small boy. Our goal is simple - to play the best football we can and at the end to be parading around the pitch with the trophy as champions."

Brazil bounced back from the edgy 4-3 win they scraped in the opening game with a late Kaka penalty, and they go into their final Group B tie against world champions Italy on Sunday looking more like Copa America champions.

Robinho added: "We were a little tired in our first game against Egypt and it showed in the nature of our performance. Against the United States in our second game, we played very well. We came together as a team and showed the kind of football that we are famous for.

"We deserved to win, and it's a great feeling to have two wins from two games. It's important to get better with every game in a competition like this, and I'm pleased to say I think we are doing just that.

"It wouldn't be right to call ourselves favourites. There are great teams here that play really quality football, Italy and Spain to name just two. Either could be champions, but so can we, and that is our goal."