Manchester City striker Robinho gave an ultimatum to manager Roberto Mancini over his future at the club, which led to his exit.
Robinho had demanded assurances from the City manager that he would play more in the build-up to the World Cup, and he made his final decision to leave for Santos on loan after being told that he would only start in a third of City's games.
“I was not playing at Manchester City right? So, I was honest with Mancini. I told him I want to play in the World Cup and that I have to play all the games I can until then,” News of The World quoted Robinho, as saying.
“He told me he already has his team. I replied that I can't play one game and not play the next two, and he understood,” he added.
The 25-year-old further said he took the decision, as Brazil manager Dunga had advised him that he needed to play regularly to earn a place in the national squad for South Africa.
“Dunga's message to me was very clear - if I don't play regularly for my club side, then I do not go to South Africa,” Robinho said.
“I will come back to City in the summer and prove that I'm not a player who sits on the bench. This is not just an escape from English football. I have thought about the move seriously and I thought I should have been in the starting team at City,” he added.
