Robinho Jr joins Genoa and is eligible to represent Italy
Quick summary
Genoa have signed Robinho Jr, son of former Brazil and AC Milan forward Robinho, and the young forward qualifies to play for Italy rather than Brazil.
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Attributed to original sourceSerie A side Genoa confirmed the signing of Robinho Jr on loan from Santos on deadline day: the 18-year-old is eligible to play for Italy because his mother has Italian citizenship.
Robinho Jr, son of ex-Milan and Manchester City star Robinho, joined Serie A side Genoa on loan from Santos on deadline day.
Robinho Jr. joins Genoa on deadline day SANTOS, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 01: Robinho Jr of Santos takes a corner kick during a match between Santos and Fortalza as part of Brasileirao 2025 at Urbano Caldeira Stadium (Vila Belmiro) on November 01, 2025 in Santos, Brazil. (Photo by Mauro Horita/Getty Images) As reported by Gazzetta, the 18-year-old will join the Primavera team, coached by Domenico Criscito, an ex-Genoa defender, but the club’s aim is to include Robinho to the first team in the coming months and let him work under Daniele De Rossi.
Robinho Jr., a versatile attacking winger, was born in Santos, Brazil, on December 17, 2027, so he’ll turn 19 in just a few months.
His mother, Vivian Guglielmetti, has Italian citizenship, as reported by Repubblica, which means the Brazilian talent is technically eligible to play for Italy national team.
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Daniele De Rossi, Head Coach of Genoa, looks on before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on August 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) The Italian newspaper reports that Roberto Mancini has not yet scouted Genoa’s new signing or considered him for the Italy squad’s upcoming call-ups, although the Azzurri coach is known for keeping a close eye on as many eligible players as possible.
Back in 2023, he gave Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui his Italy debut and the 27-year-old has gone on to score 11 goals in 28 appearances with La Nazionale.
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What happened
Genoa have completed the signing of Robinho Jr, the son of the former Brazil and AC Milan star Robinho. Born in Brazil, the young forward has acquired Italian eligibility — likely through residency or citizenship — opening the door to a senior career with the Azzurri rather than the Seleção. The move marks an intriguing addition to Genoa's attacking options and adds another young Brazilian-rooted talent to the Italian football pipeline.
Chance analysis
Robinho Jr's arrival at Genoa is a noteworthy youth-story rather than a headline transfer in its own right, but the Italy eligibility angle gives it a longer tail. Italian clubs have increasingly turned to South American academies for young talent, and the prospect of another Brazil-born forward choosing the Azzurri fits a familiar pattern. For Genoa fans, the immediate question is how quickly the teenager adapts to senior football in Serie A, while the wider football public will track whether he follows the Italy pathway or, like his father, opts for Brazil.
Genoa add a young forward with upside; short-term first-team impact is limited, but the signing strengthens squad depth and marketing appeal.