Crimes in Soccer: The Fall of Robinho – From Superstar to Convicted Rapist
In Crimes in Soccer, we aim to shine a light on the dark underbelly of the sport.
Once hailed as the next Pelé, Robinho's story is a reminder that talent and fame do not excuse horrific crimes. At one point, Robinho was among the brightest stars in world football—lighting up stadiums for clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and AC Milan. But that once-celebrated superstardom has been completely overshadowed by a violent, despicable crime: his conviction for gang rape.
A Star Who Never Reached His Potential
Robinho rose quickly through the ranks of Brazilian football. At just 18, he led Santos to their first league title since Pelé’s era. Even Pelé himself once called him an “heir.” His dazzling footwork and flair earned him a €24 million move to Real Madrid in 2005, where he wore the iconic number 10 shirt and helped the team to two La Liga titles.
In 2008, he became the face of Manchester City’s new era under Abu Dhabi ownership, joining in a British record £32.5 million move. Though his early performances impressed, his career would soon spiral downward, dogged by inconsistency, injuries, and fading motivation.
By the mid-2010s, Robinho had become a journeyman—playing in China, Brazil, and Turkey. But nothing in his uneven football career would prepare fans for what came next.
The Crime: Gang Rape in Milan
In January 2013, Robinho was involved in a horrific crime that would eventually define his legacy. According to court documents from Italy, Robinho and five other Brazilian men—including his close friend Ricardo Falco—were found guilty of gang-raping a 22-year-old Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub.
The group reportedly got the woman so intoxicated she lost consciousness. While in that vulnerable state, she was assaulted “repeatedly, several times in a row” by Robinho and the others. Intercepted audio messages later surfaced during the investigation, revealing Robinho laughing about the incident. In one clip, he callously remarked, “I’m laughing because I couldn’t care less, the woman was completely drunk, she has no idea what happened.”
Italian courts concluded that the woman was incapable of consenting due to her level of intoxication and that the group had deliberately exploited her condition. Forensic evidence, witness testimony, and the defendants' own recordings confirmed the assault.
In 2017, a Milan court sentenced Robinho and Falco to nine years in prison. That ruling was upheld on appeal in 2020, and again by Italy’s Supreme Court in 2022, making the sentence final and enforceable.
The Victim's Story
The woman at the center of this case had been celebrating her birthday on the night of the attack. According to the courts, she was tricked, plied with alcohol until she could no longer stand, and then subjected to prolonged abuse. Though her identity remains protected, her testimony—along with forensic evidence, such as Falco’s DNA found on her clothes—was instrumental in the conviction.
The judges described her as being “brutally humiliated.” The cruelty of the crime and Robinho’s apparent lack of remorse horrified many who once idolised him.
Who Was Involved?
Robinho was not alone in this crime. Alongside him, five other Brazilian men took part, including Ricardo Falco, his close associate. Falco also received a nine-year sentence. The men’s mocking conversations, recorded by authorities, portrayed a complete lack of empathy or understanding of the severity of what they had done.
In March 2025, another man implicated in the case, Rudney Gomes, was found dead after falling from an 11th-story apartment in Santos, Brazil. Authorities treated it as a suspected suicide. Gomes had fled Italy and was never formally tried, though Robinho himself admitted that Gomes had sex with the unconscious victim during the night in question.
Serving Time—But Is It Enough?
Although sentenced in Italy, Robinho is serving his prison term in Brazil. His incarceration came after Italy requested his extradition—which Brazil denied, in accordance with its constitution, which forbids extraditing its citizens. Still, Robinho’s sentence is recognized under international legal agreements, and he began serving it in 2023.
The prison where Robinho is being held has been described as grim and overcrowded. Yet for many observers and victims' advocates, nine years seems woefully insufficient for the brutality of his crime.
The verdict also raised broader concerns: if Robinho was this brazen while being recorded, how many other similar incidents may have gone unreported during his years of fame and privilege?
The Legacy Erased
Once considered a national treasure in Brazil, Robinho’s name is now synonymous with disgrace. In 2020, after his conviction was upheld, Santos attempted to re-sign him. The public backlash was so severe—including sponsor withdrawals and protests—that the deal was canceled within days.
Clubs and federations that once proudly displayed his highlights have largely erased him from their histories. Even FIFA and UEFA have distanced themselves from the former star.
Not Above the Law
Robinho’s story is a reminder: no amount of athletic talent, fame, or money should shield someone from accountability. His actions were vile and cruel, and his complete lack of remorse is chilling. While he once dazzled on the pitch, the only thing that should be remembered now is the suffering he caused.
In Crimes in Soccer, we aim to shine a light on the dark underbelly of the sport. Robinho's case is not just about a fallen star—it's about a system that has too often allowed players to escape scrutiny. Let this be a warning: no goal scored is more important than the lives damaged off the field.