Robinho defends City move

Pele is reported to have said Robinho "needs some serious counselling" after being "badly advised", while the Brazilian star's decision has also been criticised by his former coach at Santos, Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

"If you want to become the best, you need a team with possibilities to shine and I don't think City will achieve that," he said.

Robinho had looked destined to join Chelsea, who jumped the gun by advertising Robinho shirts on their website.

And although it was City who eventually met Real's asking price for Robinho on deadline day, the 24-year-old insists he had to leave Madrid as he no longer felt wanted by Real.

Not only had they made it clear they wanted to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from United but they also prevented Robinho representing Brazil at the Olympics alongside Jo.

"I accept Pele's criticism as he is the king of football, but if he had been me, he would have done the same," he said.

"Real did not want to retain me. They even used me as a potential exchange to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. But as that negotiation fell through, they wanted to retain me then.

"If they didn't want to count on me, I didn't want to stay there either, so that is what I told the president."

Robinho arrived for Brazil training in a helicopter yesterday ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, with new City team-mates Elano and Jo also in the squad.

Robinho's desire to join Chelsea was there for all to see as he initially said Chelsea during a press conference when he meant to say City.

"My first goal was to go to Chelsea as it was the only club to have made a formal offer," he said.

"But Real did not like Chelsea shirts with my name on being sold before sorting out the negotiations.

"Also, they did not reach the value Real demanded so then Manchester City came in at the last minute to sign me.

"I cried when he (Real president Roman Calderon) didn't let me play at the Olympics and you can check that by asking him," Robinho added.

"I didn't cry to quit. I just told him I didn't want to stay there any longer so I asked to be transferred."