Ronaldinho’s son, Joao Mendes, signed with Barcelona on Thursday, and will now begin his journey in the club’s famed La Masia academy ranks.
This announcement was made two weeks since the 17-year-old made his debut in Blaugrana in a friendly against Manchester United as part of a mix of the Juvenil A and B youth teams.
Barcelona has confirmed that Joao has joined the club after a successful trial with the Catalans.
Joao started his career at Flamengo before turning out for Vasco de Gama and Boavista-RJ at youth level. In 2019, he impressed the scouts of Cruzeiro with his quick feet and signed a six-year contract with the club. After spending three years with the Brazilian outfit, Mendes decided to terminate that deal and take on a trial at Barca. Barca has now formally presented him as an U19s player.
He will hope to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father. Ronaldinho won two La Liga titles and the Champions League at Barca and also became a Ballon d’Or winner.
