Real Madrid offer help to kidnap victim Robinho

Armed men have raided a private garden party and kidnapped the mother of Santos ace Robinho, one of Brazilian football's brightest young stars.

The Brazilian international's agents are currently in talks with Real Madrid over a move to Spain at the end of this season.

The gunmen seized Marina Lima de Souza, 43, at a barbecue in the town of Praia Grande, 75km (45 miles) from Sao Paulo. The kidnap came shortly after media reports in Brazil linked Robinho, 20, with a lucrative move to Real Madrid.

The men fled with their captive in her car, which was later found abandoned. Police have not received any demands.

Real president Florentino Perez was constantly in contact with Robinho and his representatives on Sunday offering his assistance.

Robinho was scheduled to play in a league game away to Criciuma on Sunday afternoon, but Santos club president Marcelo Teixeira said the forward would be excused from the squad to join the rest of his family.