Brazilian footballer Robinho appealed for his family to be left in peace as he spoke in public for the first time since his mother was kidnapped on Saturday.

"You’re outside my house all the time and this is getting in the way," the 20-year-old Santos forward, regarded as one of the best Brazilian players still based in his homeland, told a news conference at the club onlhesday.

"I hope this all finishes well and that I can go back to playing football again."

Television crews and reporters have been camped outside the apartment of Robinho's family since Sunday.

"A lot of things have been published which aren't true," added Robinho. "It's time to be calm and I ask you to leave me in peace. I hope you have some comprehension for me and my family."

Police said 43-year-old Marina de Souza was abducted by two armed men who invaded a barbecue at a house in the Santos neighbourhood of Praia Grande.

On Monday, police said they would not give any more details about the case.

Robinho, 20, is regarded as one of Brazil's finest prospects after helping Santos win the domestic championship in 2002.

The kidnapping came at a time when speculation is rife about a possible transfer abroad, with Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and Portugal’s Benfica among the possible buyers.

Meanwhile, the footballer's club Santos said Robinho will not be leaving for Eeurope until at least July next year. Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said on TUesday that no transfer agreement had been signed with any club for his star player, who is descended from slaves from die north east of Brazil and is valued at an estimated 14milllonpounds.

"I can assure you that Robinho will not be leaving till before July 2005,’hesaid.

"All I can say is that no precontract has been signed with PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Real Madrid or any other club interested in buying him."

Teixeira admitted he had received a call from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

"We told him that we did not want to sell Robinho for the moment," he said.

Robinho has won two caps for Brazil, although many commentators believe he deserves more chances.

Santos are second in the Brazilian championship with six rounds of matches remaining and Robinho is their leading scorer with 21 goals.

He missed Sunday’s match at Criciuma and will also be left out of Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana game at home to Ecuadorean champions Liga de Quito unless the case is resolved by then.