(CNN) -- When Robinho completed his dramatic deadline-day transfer from Manchester City to AC Milan last month, he became the latest in a long line of flamboyant big-name players to move to the San Siro. Most would agree the attacking prowess of the 26-year-old party-loving, Brazil striker would help bolster the attack of any team in the world, but it's his ability to help decide the future of Italian politics that was arguably just as attractive to his new employers. That is because club owner Silvio Berlusconi also happens to be the prime minister of Italy and -- according to leading commentators -- AC Milan's success has been inextricably linked to Berlusconi's rise to power.
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Robinho is the latest big-name player to be signed by Italian giants AC Milan
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The Brazilian striker joins Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the San Siro for this season
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The signings come as Silvio Berlusconi's popularity is on the wane in the opinion polls
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Some commentators believe the Milan owner uses the club to boost his political popularity
The career paths of @placeholder the politician and Berlusconi the football club owner run hand-in-hand as the billionaire has unashamedly courted the popular "football" vote to achieve his political aspirations.