Having performed so well at clubs in Brazil and European leagues, it was inevitable Robinho would be a key player for the Brazil national team. Robinho has currently made 80 appearances with 25 goals for the national team.

His first cap was earned against Mexico in the Gold Cup. Unfortunately for Robinho and Brazil, they lost the match 1-0. At this time Robinho was playing in the under 23 team, which participated in the Gold Cup, therefore it counted as his first proper cap. The next time he featured for Brazil was in the Confederations cup in 2005, as was part of the main squad. Brazil went on to win the tournament in Germany, which took place 1 year before the 2006 World Cup.

At 22 years old, he was part of Brazil’s squad at the 2006 World Cup, but was on the fringe of the first team. This World Cup came after Robinho’s first season at Real Madrid. He was often chosen behind the likes of Ronaldino, one of the best players in the world at that time, Adriano and Ronaldo. He came off the bench in the first two games, and started against Japan in the 3rd match, when Brazil had already qualified. However, that was the last we saw of Robinho, as he didn’t play against Ghana in the last 16 match, or France in the quarter finals, the match which saw Brazil be eliminated. Therefore Robinho was slightly disappointed he couldn’t score in his first World Cup.

One year later Robinho impressed at the Copa America in 2007. Robinho wore number 11, which is Romario famously wore. Robinho scored a hat-trick against Chile in his first game and then the winner in the 1-0 win against Ecuador, which was all 4 of Brazil’s goals in the group stage. Brazil was to play against Chile again, and beat them again, by an even bigger margin, 6-1. Robinho helped himself to 2 of the 6 goals scored in this match. Brazil went to beat Argentina in the final and win Copa America. Robinho won the Golden Boot as well as being named the best player.

Brazil won the Confederations cup for the second time in a row and this time Robinho was more of an integral part of the team, as he played in every game of the competition. Robinho was selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and was one of the most important to the squad, with the ability to place fast and fluent football. He played in every game and was the playmaker of the side, he also got one of the goals in the 3-0 second round win against the team he loved scoring against, Chile. Brazil and Robinho was left disappointed once again after being eliminated in the quarter final stage once again, after losing to Holland.