The 17-year-old son of Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho to join Barcelona after a successful trial at the club.
Joao Mendes, who is Ronaldinho’s son, is the latest player to join the Barcelona academy, which has produced the likes of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez.
Ronaldinho is a well-known attacker who performed effectively in his center midfield position and on the left wing. His son, Mendes, is a natural striker.
The 17-year-old has devastating skill and clever ideas that are similar to those of his father. In the future, Mendes is likely to be a potential winner of the Ballon d’Or.
However, before Barcelona decision to sign the young Brazilian, Mendes’ trial didn’t go as planned. Joan Laporta called the club and begged them to be patient with Ronaldinho’s son because he failed to impress them on the pitch initially.
Mendes failed to give up, and in the latter stages, he impressed the club. Laporta has a close relationship with Mendes’ father due to Ronaldinho bringing success to the club during Laporta’s first spell as President.
Mendes’ uncle, Roberto de Assis, who is also the player’s agent, contacted Laporta to discuss the possibility of signing Mendes to the Barcelona academy.
Before Mendes moved to Europe for a trial with Barcelona, he was playing for Cruzeiro in Brazil, but his contract was terminated.
Cruzeiro is owned by another great Brazilian, De Lima Ronaldo. The former AC Milan striker owns 90% of the club.
Ronaldinho currently works as an ambassador for Barcelona. The former Ballon d’Or winner claimed his son’s arrival would make him more involved in the activities of the club.
Ronaldinho has assured the press that Barcelona is everything he has. He claimed that everywhere he goes, he takes Barcelona with him.
Ronaldinho enjoyed major success at the club between 2003 and 2008. The legend left Barcelona in 2008 to join AC Milan. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and the Champions League in Barcelona.
Ronaldinho was named the FIFA World’s Best Player in 2004 and 2005. The midfielder made 207 appearances, scored 94 goals, and had 70 assists at the club.
Who Is Joao Mendes
Joao Mendes was born on May 25, 2005, and he is Ronaldinho’s only child. He is currently 17 years old. The young striker has a height of 1.78 meters.
He first showed an interest in football when he told his mother, Janaina Mendes, that he wanted to join a football school at the age of four. The striker joined Flamengo at the age of 10.
At the age of 13, he has had a successful trial at Cruzerio in Brazil. He scored two goals for the team before the termination of his contract. Mendes wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a great player.
