Robinho has compared himself to Diego Maradona

The Brazilian has scored 11 times since his record transfer to Eastlands, and he is now concentrating on giving something back to the fans who have so willingly accepted him.

Speaking about his time at City so far, he said: "It's been fantastic. They treat me like Maradona over here.

"I feel a little embarrassed at times, and I hope I can repay all this love on the field. It's funny, a black Maradona - the only thing is I can't score goals with my hand."

Robinho also insisted that he has not let go of the goal he set himself while still playing at Real Madrid - to become the world's greatest footballer. The 24-year-old now claims that the feat will be easier to achieve with City.

"Yes, it can be done - and it will be done," he said.

"You can be sure I want to be the world's No 1. Many people think it has become difficult because of the team, but I think it's even easier because at Manchester City I will always start.

"At Madrid I was only used for the important matches."

While he admits his English is still a work in progress, Robinho insists he is happy about his summer transfer.

Happy to be off the bench, he sees the next five years of his career under Mark Hughes' leadership before he returns to southern Brazil to end his playing days with Santos.

"For me, the best team is the one where you get to play," he told the Sun.

"It's no good if you are at a so-called great team, but spend your time sitting on a bench. We players can never stop dreaming, when I am 29 or 30 I want to go back to Santos and win them the Libertadores."

City host Tottenham tomorrow, a match which will see Hughes reunited with David Bentley, who he once famously rejected a transfer request from while managing Blackburn.

Aware that Bentley may still carry a grudge, Hughes said: "It (rejecting the request) was just about the last thing I did at Blackburn.

"I don't think David was too happy about that in fairness, he wasn't happy with my point of view, but there you go, that's football."