Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes is undergoing a trial at Barcelona.
The 17-year-old striker reportedly terminated his contract with Brazilian club Cruzeiro earlier this month.
According to Diario SPORT, Joan Laporta is working closely with Ronaldinho to make the kid an official signing for Barcelona’s youth team, Juvenil A.
Ronaldinho currently serves as one of Barcelona’s key ambassadors.
Update: Ronaldinho confirmed Joao’s Barcelona signing on February 7, 2023, telling RAC1: “I can confirm Barcelona will sign João, Barça has always been part of my life and my heart and it will continue with my son.”
Can Ronaldinho’s son succeed the Brazilian icon at Barcelona?
Those who’ve seen Joao play say he’s a “huge talent,” a mini-Ronaldinho of sorts. But the teenager who dreams of following in his father’s footsteps has big boots to fill.
Ronaldinho is one of the most talented footballers of all time and certainly one of Brazil’s finest, a winner of the 2002 World Cup.
Joao once hid his identity during a trial at Cruzeiroso so nobody could identify his famous dad @10Ronaldinho pic.twitter.com/7eqKhpN7lp
— 433Futbol.io (@Soccergator_io) February 8, 2023
The razzle-dazzle extraordinaire embarrassed his opponents with his dribbling skills and deceived goalies with his free-kicks.
The Brazilian icon notched nearly a century of goals for the Catalan side, wrapping up the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the year after winning the Champions League and his second La Liga title in 2005.
Joao previously trialed at PSG, also his dad’s former club, before trying to make it at Barca Athletic. It’ll be difficult for Mendes to break into the first team, but under the tutelage of strikers like Robert Lewandowski, he’ll be learning from the best.
Can Joao continue the family legacy for the Blaugrana?
Photo: Twitter/mendesjoao
