Robinho hoping to play in Real title decider, says agent

Robinho, caught in a tug-of-war between Real Madrid and Brazil, wants to play for his club in Sunday's title decider before joining his country's Copa America preparations, his agent said on Wednesday.

Wagner Ribeiro said that Robinho had trained with Real on Wednesday despite demands from Brazil that he join their training camp immediately.

He added that the forward still wanted to play in Sunday's match at home to Real Mallorca, where a win will be enough for Madrid to clinch their first league title in four years.

"It's a complicated situation, I thought the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) would release him but the situation is worse," Ribeiro told the Sportv cable channel.

"He knows it's a very important game, the game of his life. Playing will be good for him, Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team."

"If he joined the Brazil team now, he would just be training."

The Copa America begins in Venezuela on June 26. Brazil believe that under FIFA rules, they are entitled to call on Robinho 14 days beforehand and have sent a letter to Real demanding his release.

The CBF also argue that Real coach Fabio Capello left Robinho on the bench for a long stretch this season and that it is thanks to Brazil that the player has found a new lease of life.

Ribeiro pointed out that Robinho was not following the example of Ronaldinho and Kaka, who have been left out of the Copa America squad at their own request.

"He hasn't asked to be excused," Ribeiro said.

"If he plays on Sunday night, he can be in Brazil on Monday. He wants to play for Brazil, even though it means he won't have any holidays."