Who is Robinho Jr? Meet Santos' Rising Star Making Headlines with Neymar in Brazil

Robinho Jr (Robson Junior) is the son of the well-known former football star Robinho, who is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in Italy for a rape he committed while he was playing there.

Meanwhile, his son was spotted showcasing his skills alongside another football legend, Neymar, during a Santos training session.

Robinho Junior is currently playing alongside Neymar at the Brazilian club Santos. The young forward featured in their exciting 1-0 win over Flamengo in the Serie A, with Neymar scoring the decisive goal. 

Since a video of Robinho Jr. and Neymar started making the rounds on social media, fans have been quick to notice the talented teenager. Robinho Junior began his football journey at a very young age, inspired by his father’s own career, dreaming of becoming a professional football star just like him.

Who is Robinho Junior?

Junior, born on December 17, 2007, started his football journey at Santos’ academy in May 2022 when he was just 14 years old. After impressing at the youth level, he signed a youth contract with the club in June. Now, he’s made his way up and currently plays for Santos’ senior team.

His performances quickly caught the eye of senior staff and coaches at the academy, leading to his promotion to the under-17 squad for the 2023 season. However, he had to be patient, as he didn’t make his first appearance for the team until the following year.

His talent on the pitch was undeniable. Before any other club could make a move, the Brazilian team secured the forward’s future by signing him to a new contract on August 9, 2024, which included a €50 million release clause.

Swift Transitions from Youth to Senior Level

Robinho Junior continued his impressive form with the club’s youth teams, helping lead the U-17 squad to victory in the Campeonato Paulista Sub-17. He finished the tournament as joint top scorer alongside Lucca Amaro. His standout performances earned him a well-deserved promotion to the U-20 team, where he went on to compete in the prestigious Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.

Robinho Junior was developing rapidly and showing signs that he was ready for senior-level football. On 19 February 2025, he was officially added to the first-team squad for the 2025 Campeonato Paulista. A few months later, on 9 July, he was handed the iconic number 7 shirt—once worn by his father during his time at the club.

The very next day, on 10 July 2025, Robinho Junior made his unofficial debut for the senior team. He came on as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 friendly win against Desportiva Ferroviária, and made an immediate impact by providing an assist for Diego Pituca’s goal.

Though still in the early stages of his professional career, Robinho Junior is steadily gaining experience, mostly being used as a substitute while he continues his development.

Robinho Junior’s playing style

Robinho Jr. is a fast, agile, and technically gifted player, widely recognized for his flair, creativity, and exceptional dribbling skills. His quick feet and smooth execution of skill moves—such as the flip flap and step over—make him a constant threat in one-on-one situations. His ball control and use of feints and trickery allow him to glide past defenders with ease.

Beyond his individual brilliance, Robinho Jr. is known for his attacking instinct and his ability to both score and create chances. Thanks to his vision and versatility, he has been effectively deployed not only as a winger but also as an attacking midfielder, a second striker, and even a central forward—consistently contributing to the development and fluidity of his team's offensive play.