Following in your famous father's footballing footsteps can be tricky for any young player and the task is even harder when you dad is Brazilian icon Ronaldinho.
The former PSG, Barcelona and AC Milan superstar enjoyed an incredible career as one of the best players of a generation as he thrilled for club and country from 2000 to 2011.
However, family football torch has now been passed to his only son — Joao de Assis Moreira — with the 18-year-old nowe part of the Barcelona set-up.
The teenager — commonly known as Joao Mendes — had been without a club for over 12 months after decided to leave Cruzeiro.
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Is Ronaldinho's son joining Barcelona?
The news of Mendes joining Barcelona was broken by his father, during an interview with Spanish radio station RAC1, following a trial at the club in January.
Ronaldinho confirms his son João Mendes will join Barcelona's academy after a successful trial. "He is coming now. Barcelona is part of life. Wherever I go I take Barcelona with me. With the arrival of my son at Barca I'll be more present than ever," he told RAC1.🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/xcKCD8YsFV
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) February 7, 2023
Barcelona confirmed his signing on March 2, 2023 with Joao Mendes officially linking up with their Under 19's team. ESPN report that his initial contract runs until the summer of 2024.
Barca club president Joan Laporta reportedly intervened to request a deal for Mendes as part of an extended trial at the Camp Nou.
“The pressure on the boy is great, because Ronaldinho has been one of the best in history," Laporta was quoted.
"The son has pressure, but it’s the job of our coaches to develop his skills.”
Who is Ronaldinho's son?
Joao Mendes is the only child of Ronaldinho and his former wife Janaína Mendes, and was born in 2005 in Rio de Janeiro, during his father time at Barcelona.
He has played football in his native Brazil from a young age, with academy spells at Flamengo, Boavista-RJ and Vasco da Gama, before joining Cruzeiro aged 13.
🚨 Ronaldinho has announced that his 17-year old son Joao Mendes will sign for Barcelona. 🇧🇷
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 7, 2023
(Source: @lequipe) pic.twitter.com/TKTLS4Uh0M
Despite being the son of one Brazil's all-time greats, Mendes chose not to reveal his father's fame during his initial trial at Cruzeiro, with the news breaking after he signed a deal at the club.
Cruzeiro were impressed by his progress at youth level, and agreed a six-year professional contract with him in 2019, before he opted to leave the club in January 2022.
Joao Mendes position, skills and image
Unsurprisingly, comparisons with his father were immediate in Mendes' youth career, with the teenager described as 'quick footed with a goal scoring threat' by reports from Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte.
He is predicted to be a different style of player to his dad, operating in any position across the attack, with speed and close control as his main strengths.
Comparisons will continue for the latest young star arriving at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, but the pressure will be even higher for their newest recruit.
