Madrid president says Robinho will stay at club

Madrid, Aug 18: Robinho will not be allowed to leave Real Madrid this season, club president Ramon Calderon said Sunday.

Robinho reportedly wants to join Chelsea, which had a 32 million (USD 47 million) bid for the Brazil international rejected by Madrid last week.

The forward, who is under contract until 2010, was included in Madrid's team on Sunday for its Spanish Supercup first leg at Valencia even though he had been reportedly unwilling to travel to the game.

Robinho seemed very happy. He's in the starting lineup and he's certain to play with us this season. I say this with absolute certainty, Calderon told a Spanish channel just before the match. He seemed very lively. He's very happy and optimistic. The coach (Bernd Schuster) has told me he is training very well and the proof is that he is starting the match against Valencia.

Calderon said that the Spanish champion would make no further signings this season. It has signed Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg and Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander, although the latter will be loaned back to Santander this season.

Calderon also referred to Madrid's failed attempt to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.