Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes has joined the top Spanish La Liga side Barcelona. The teenager signed a contract with the club’s youth academy. The 18-year-old striker follows in the footsteps of his World Cup-winning father, who had five successful seasons at Camp Nou.
Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes Signs for Barcelona
Joao Mendes terminated his contract at Brazilian Serie B side Cruzeiro to join Barcelona’s Under-19 team on trial. He had kept the identity of his father secrete until he secured a trial and deal with Cruzeiro.
42-year-old Ronaldinho now works as an ambassador for Barcelona after retiring from football in 2015. The flamboyant former forward, a Ballon d’Or winner in 2005, helped the Catalan giants win a Champions League and back-to-back La Liga titles during his spell at the club.
Mendes will be part of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, which has produced icons such as Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and current boss Xavi. Ronaldinho decided to hide his relationship with his son so he can make a name for himself so it will not be that he got in because of his influence of him. Luckily Joao Mendes has been able to make the name for himself and he has gained recognition outside of his father.
