Ronaldinho's son joins Barcelona to follow in legendary father's footsteps
Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes has joined Barcelona's academy, the former Brazil star has confirmed.
Mendes, who turns 18 on February 25, was born in Rio de Janeiro while his father was on Barca's books. The teenager spent a number of years on the books of Cruzeiro, who are owned by Ronaldinho's former international team-mate Ronaldo, before embarking on a trial with Barca in January.
Reports in Italy suggested Barcelona president Joan Laporta granted the teenager extra time to impress. And now, according to comments from Ronaldinho himself, it appears Mendes did enough to convince the Catalan club of his talent.
"Barca is part of my life, and with the arrival of my son in the academy, I will be more present," Ronaldinho told RAC1. "I have many friends within Barca, Xavi included, and I hope that they can win the league."
Joao Mendes had been training with Barcelona's 'Juvenil' side in an effort to make an impression. According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, coaches at La Masia were not immediately positive about the youngster, only for Laporta to intervene.
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The club president, who began his second stint in the role in 2021, was also in charge when Ronaldinho and Barcelona won the Champions League in 2006. He reportedly intervened to secure a technical analysis of Mendes' play before the latest developments.
Can Joao Mendes emulate his father Ronaldinho? Have your say in the comments section
After joining Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003, Ronaldinho won two league titles and one Champions League trophy with the club. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 while on Barca's books, and was the club's top scorer in Europe en route to their victory over Arsenal in the 2006 final.
This all came after the Brazilian - a World Cup winner in 2002 - came desperately close to joining compatriot Kleberson at Manchester United. "We played a friendly against France and Man United representatives were there watching the game," Kleberson later told Ladbrokes: Fanzone. "When I spoke with them afterwards, they told me they were watching myself and Ronaldinho. He was close to joining them with me."
Barcelona have an impressive record of bringing academy players through into the first team. Ronaldinho's one-time team-mate Lionel Messi is among the most prominent examples, while current manager Xavi also started out at La Masia during his playing days.
A number of current squad members have risen through the ranks before making it into the senior side, including club captain Sergio Busquets, youngest ever Barca scorer Ansu Fati and teenage Spain international Gavi. Others, including Jordi Alba and Eric Garcia, left Camp Nou after coming through the academy and returned at a later date.
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