International Career
Robinho earned his first cap for Brazil in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup match on 13 July, which Brazil lost 1–0 to Mexico. Although Brazil chose to send their under-23 team, the CONCACAF Gold Cup matches are considered as full international matches by FIFA. He was part of Brazil squad for 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, which Brazil went on to win.
He played in four of Brazil's five matches as a reserve, but finished the tournament goalless. Robinho, however, was in top form in the Copa América 2007 a year later. For the tournament, he wore the #11 shirt, the same number that his childhood hero Romário wore. Robinho scored all four of Brazil's group stage goals via a hat-trick in Brazil's 3–0 group stage match against Chile, and a penalty in a 1–0 win over Ecuador. His last two goals came in a 6–1 quarter-final thrashing of Chile. Robinho reaped the individual honors, finishing as the Golden Boot winner in addition to being named the best player of the tournament.
On 28 June 2009, he was a member of the Brazil team that won the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. He played in every game in the competition, as Brazil defeated the United States 3–2 to win the tournament. On 28 June 2010, he scored against Chile as Brazil won 3–0 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup. He scored the opener in the quarter-final match against Netherlands on 2 July 2010, but Brazil eventually lost 2–1 and was eliminated.
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