Robinho's mother finally set free
 |  Robinho has not played for Santos since his mother was kidnapped on November 6 |
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SANTOS, Brazil -- Kidnappers have freed the mother of Santos forward Robinho, one of Brazil's most talented players, 40 days after seizing her at gunpoint.
Marina de Souza was discovered when she knocked on the door of a house in Perus on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, after being released from captivity.
The police were called, she was taken to hospital for a check-up and then driven home and reunited with Robinho.
"There is nothing better than seeing your mother happy and laughing," the 20-year-old striker said. "I can have a happy Christmas with my family whether or not we win the title.
"I've had trouble sleeping. You have lunch but you don't know if your mother's having lunch, when you have dinner, you don't know if she's having dinner."
Robinho has not played since the kidnapping in the Santos district of Praia Grande on November 6, although he has been training.
Meanwhile, his agent Wagner Ribeiro has suspended negotiations over a possible move abroad by the player.
Robinho's trickery and ball skills have made him a hot property and Real Madrid are reported to be among the European clubs interested in signing him.
The release came two days before Santos, the Brazilian championship leaders, play their decisive last match of the league season against Vasco da Gama.
Santos lead Atletico Paranaense by one point and need to beat Vasco to win the title for the second time in three years.
"God has been generous because he has brought Dona Marina home," said Santos president Marcelo Teixeira.
"It's been traumatic for the players and they've missed Robinho's happiness and his contagious smile. This is a very happy day for Santos."
De Souza, 43, was abducted by two armed men who jumped over the wall at a house where a barbecue was being held.
Three days later, Robinho appealed for privacy and the case has since been kept out of the media.
Her ordeal ended on Friday when the kidnappers simply told her to leave the house where she had been held. Brazilian media said a ransom had been paid but there was no official confirmation.
A hospital spokesman said that, despite losing 4kg, De Souza was in good condition and was lucid.
Police worked on a theory that Robinho was the victim of an extortion attempt.
Kidnappings for ransom are rife in crime-plagued Brazil but businessmen are usually targetted rather than footballers.
Santos coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said he had not decided whether Robinho would play on Sunday.
"I am very happy that Robinho is once again available for selection," said Luxemburgo at the team hotel in Sao Jose do Rio Preto, where Santos will play Vasco because of a home ban.
"But this has to be resolved intelligently and by talking to the rest of the players, who helped Santos get to this position."
Robinho last played in the 5-0 win over Fluminense on October 31 when he scored twice. He is still joint top scorer with 21 goals alongside fellow striker Deivid.
Robinho shot to prominence two years ago when he helped Santos win the Brazilian championship for the first time since it began in 1971.
He was even compared to Pele due to a physical resemblance and the fact that he plays at the same club where the Brazil great spent most of his career helping Santos win a stream of state championships, the Libertadores Cup in 1962 and 1963 and the World Club championship in the same years.
In 2003, Robinho was again inspirational as Santos reached the final of the Libertadores Cup, the South American equivalent of Europe's Champions League.
He has so far won only two full caps for Brazil, although he was in the squad for last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup when Brazil fielded an under-23 team but still reached the final before losing to Mexico.
