João Mendes (footballer, born 2005) explained
João Mendes de Assis Moreira (born 25 February 2005) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a winger for Burnley.
Early and personal life
João Mendes was born in Rio de Janeiro to Brazilian footballing legend Ronaldinho and professional dancer Janaina Mendes.[1] [2] [3] His uncle is former footballer Assis, while his cousin, and Assis’ son, Diego Assis also pursued a career in football.
Club career
Early career
João Mendes first took an interest in football at the age of four, when he asked his mother to enroll him in a football school.[2] At the age of ten, he joined the academy of Flamengo, before playing indoor football for Vasco da Gama, followed by a short spell with Boavista-RJ.[2]
At the age of thirteen, he had a successful trial at Cruzeiro, where he hid the fact that his father was Ronaldinho from fellow trialists, as well as Cruzeiro staff.[2] [4] [5] A year after joining, he signed his first professional contract with the club, a six-year deal, in 2019.[6] [7] Shortly after signing professional terms, he scored two goals for Cruzeiro at a youth tournament hosted in China.[8]
Barcelona
In February 2022, after almost four seasons with the club, João Mendes left Cruzeiro.[9] Having been without a club for almost a year, he went on trial with Spanish side Barcelona in January 2023.[10] [11] [12] He had been linked to the Catalan club, where his father used to play, since 2020.[13] He reportedly did not impress Barcelona coaches during his trial period, with club president, and long-time friend of Ronaldinho, Joan Laporta, requesting an extension to the trial for further technical analysis.[14]
On 7 February 2023, at the MD Grand Gala, Ronaldinho stated "with the arrival of my son at Barça I will be even more present," seemingly confirming João Mendes' move to Barcelona.[15] João Mendes played in a friendly match for Barcelona's under-19 team in a 3–1 win over Manchester United on 16 February 2023.[16] Following the game, Laporta stated "we want Ronaldinho's son to continue his career here. We will make him a contract [offer]. The other day we spoke with Roberto (his agent) and he has to close some things in Brazil."[16]
João Mendes officially signed for Barcelona on 2 March 2023, being assigned to the youth team.[17] [18]
Burnley
On 14 August 2024, Mendes was photographed holding a Burnley jersey alongside his agent. Reputable reports circulated claiming he had penned a two-year contract with the club.[19]
International career
João Mendes holds a Spanish passport, making him eligible to represent Spain, as well as his nation of birth Brazil.[20]
Notes and References
- Web site: Ronaldinho assume ser pai de filho com dançarina. Ronaldinho assumes he is the father of a child with a dancer. 25 August 2005. 12 January 2023. folhadelondrina.com.br. Portuguese.
- Web site: Filho de Ronaldinho Gaúcho, João Mendes estreia série sobre sua vida e o início no futebol. Son of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, João Mendes debuts series about his life and his beginnings in football. 16 July 2021. 12 January 2023. extra.globo.com. Portuguese.
- Web site: El espectacular cambio físico del hijo de Ronaldhino. The spectacular physical change of Ronaldhino's son. 3 March 2022. 12 January 2023. informacion.es. Spanish.
- Web site: Filho de Ronaldinho Gaúcho é aprovado em teste no Cruzeiro. Ronaldinho Gaúcho's son passes test at Cruzeiro. 16 August 2018. 12 January 2023. placar.abril.com.br. Portuguese.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son hid identity during trial at Cruzeiro. 9 April 2019. 12 January 2023. en.as.com.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son signs first professional contract. Alejandro. Cañas. 6 April 2019. 12 January 2023. en.as.com.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son signs professional contract with Cruzeiro. 6 April 2019. 12 January 2023. espn.com.
- Web site: Filhos de Ronaldinho Gaúcho e Adriano são campeões nas categorias de base. Sons of Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Adriano are champions in the base categories. 26 April 2019. 12 January 2023. esportefera.com.br. Portuguese.
- Web site: Cruzeiro não renova com filho de Ronaldinho Gaúcho; Guerreiro também sai. Cruzeiro does not renew with Ronaldinho Gaúcho's son; Guerreiro also leaves. 26 February 2022. 12 January 2023. mg.superesportes.com.br. Portuguese.
- Web site: El hijo de Ronaldinho, al juvenil del Barça. Ronaldinho's son, to the youth of Barça. 12 January 2023. 12 January 2023. mundodeportivo.com. Spanish.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son on trial at Barcelona after terminating Cruzeiro contract. Gill. Clark. 12 January 2023. 12 January 2023. goal.com.
- Web site: ‘Zoon (17) van Ronaldinho op proef bij FC Barcelona’. 'Son (17) of Ronaldinho on trial at FC Barcelona'. 12 January 2023. 12 January 2023. sportniewus.nl. Dutch.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son, Joao Mendes, is reportedly on FC Barcelona's shortlist to replace Messi after his departure to Paris. Mauricio. Saenz. 21 December 2020. 12 January 2023. elfutbolero.us.
- Web site: Ronaldinho junior in prova al Barcellona: non ha convinto, e allora il presidente.... Ronaldinho junior on trial at Barcelona: he didn't convince, so the president.... Filippo Maria. Ricci. 18 January 2023. 19 January 2023. gazzetta.it. Italian.
- Web site: Ronaldinho confirma que el Barça ficha a su hijo. Ronaldinho confirms that Barça signs his son. 7 February 2023. 8 February 2023. mundodeportivo.com. Spanish.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son makes Barcelona youth team debut against Manchester United. Dan. Brown. 17 February 2023. 21 February 2023. manchestereveningnews.co.uk.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son has officially signed for Barcelona. Nacho. Labarga. 2 March 2023. 2 March 2023. marca.com.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's teenage son signs for Barcelona. www.bbc.co.uk.
- Web site: Ronaldinho's son signs for EFL club after quitting Barcelona aged 19. 14 August 2024 . 14 August 2024.
- Web site: Ronaldinho’s son to sign for Barcelona. Juan. Jiménez. 7 February 2023. 21 February 2023. en.as.com.
