Kidnapped mother of wonderkid Robinho released

The mother of Brazilian football prodigy Robinho has been released following her kidnapping on November 6.

Marina De Souza’s release will now enable Robinho to play for Santos in a title-decider this weekend in the Brazilian championship.

Unconfirmed reports say that Robinho paid the ransom demanded by the kidnappers on Wednesday night.

A few hours later his mother was released on the streets of Sao Paulo in a neighbourhood called Perus in heavy rain. She asked a householder to use the phone and contacted the police and Robinho.

She was then taken to the Metropolitano da Lapa hospital, where doctors confirmed she was in good condition.

“She’s fine, a bit dehydrated but fine. She’s not hungry,” doctor Fernando Leopoldino said. “She should stay under observation for a few hours, but there are no injuries.”

The player’s agent Wagner Ribeiro had announced on Wednesday morning that the release was imminent and that Robinho, who has been sidelined since his mother’s capture, would play if his mother was freed.

Santos lead the championship with only one round to go, so victory on Sunday would give them the title.

The team’s assistant coach Serginho Chulapa confirmed Robinho, considered the hottest property in the Campeonato, should be part of that game.

Chulapa said: “He has been training normally, so it’s only up to coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo.”