Robinho Jr says Santos shirt switch to Juninho was only a test | OneFootball

Robinho Jr has downplayed his brief switch to the name Juninho on his Santos shirt, calling it a simple test during a friendly and confirming he is using Robinho Jr in official games.

According to Diario Do Peixe, early this month he wore Juninho in a 3-0 friendly win over União São João at the Pacaembu, with the press kit also reflecting the change. He scored his first senior goal that day from a penalty he won, then reverted once competitive action resumed.

He said the media gave the episode more attention than he did and that it was merely to see how the name looked on the shirt. He spoke after coming on in a 4-1 win at UCV in Venezuela on Tuesday 21, the first leg of the Sul-Americana play-off.

Born Robson de Souza Junior, he emerged from the academy last year and, on promotion, was handed Santos’ number seven as a tribute to his father Robinho, choosing to go by Robinho Jr. He has long been nicknamed Juninho in the youth set-up, and team-mates and coach Cuca often use it.

Since early 2025 he has trained with the first team and was registered for the Paulistão, setting up a goal in a 3-1 friendly win over Desportiva Ferroviária on his first outing. He made his official debut in a 1-0 victory over Flamengo at Vila Belmiro on 16 July, in Brasileirão round 14, finishing last season with one assist in 15 league games. This year he has five Paulista appearances, four in the Brasileirão, two in the Sul-Americana and the friendly, totalling 23 senior games and one assist. Aged 18, he remains eligible for the under-20s for two more years and is contracted until 30 March 2031.

Source: Diario Do Peixe