Brazil try to keep Robinho's feet on the ground

If Robinho needed any more hype, then his first 26 minutes for Real Madrid after his $30 million move from Santos provided it.

During Brazil's training sessions in their mountain base of Teresopolis this week, the 21-year-old has attracted at least as much attention as Ronaldo and veterans Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

Brazil face Chile in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow night needing three points to book their place in next year's finals in Germany.

The match is regarded as a formality by the Brazil media - so much so that one of the main talking points has been how Ronaldo and Robinho will celebrate their goals.

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, however, has other ideas and is trying desperately to keep his team's feet, and especially Robinho's, on the ground.

"This is all over the top," said Parreira. "There is a lot of marketing in favour of Robinho but, in life, you are remembered for what you win and Robinho is only starting out.

"I'm worried about the exaggeration of everything to do with him."

Parreira's first move when his players assembled on Tuesday was to name the team, thereby avoiding the unhealthy speculation over whether or not Robinho would play.

Amid all the excitement, it is easily forgotten that Robinho was only presented by Real Madrid just over a week ago. Such are the demands on modern-day footballers that he spent only four days in Spain before travelling straight back to Brazil to report for training with the national team.

Robinho said he is ready for the responsibility and has learned his lesson from the infamous short-dropping incident with Brazil's under-23 team in Chile last year.

On that occasion, Robinho was photographed having his shorts pulled down by team-mate Diego on the eve of the S. American Olympic qualifying tournament. Brazil failed to qualify.

"Parreira has told me to be the same as always and to stay focused," he said. "I'm much more mature.

"Today, I know when and when not to fool around."