Santos tell Robinho to stay until World Cup

Santos have described their forward Robinho as one of the world's top players and warned him a move abroad could damage his chances of being chosen by Brazil for the 2006 World Cup finals.

The 21-year-old has been the subject of constant media speculation over a move to a leading European club and at one stage last year a transfer to Real Madrid appeared imminent.

"A transfer to Europe would need adaptation to new customs and food, among other things," Santos club president Marcelo Teixeira told the club's official website.

"This would need time. Going abroad could hurt his chances of being picked for the qualifying matches and the World Cup itself."

Robinho is being selected regularly in the Brazil squad and has to fight for a place in the team alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldinho and Ricardo Oliveira.

"He could go the same way as (midfielder) Diego who, after being transferred to Porto, in Portugal, is no longer being picked (by Brazil)," said Teixeira in a reference to Robinho's former team mate.

Diego also burst on to the scene in Santos's 2002 Brazilian championship-winning team.

Robinho has been in excellent form this season and gave a virtuoso display last week as Santos beat Ecuador's LDU 3-1 to revive their campaign in the South American Libertadores Cup.

"It's not the intention of this board of directors to sell Robinho to another club," said Teixeira. "We're doing everything we can to keep our top idol at Santos."

"I'd say that...Robinho is one of the best players in the world, alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho."