Ronaldinho’s son, 17, successful in Nou Camp trial

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By Martin Graham | 9th Feb 2023

Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes is about to sign for FC Barcelona. The teenage forward has successfully concluded his trial with the Catalan side.

Most top clubs, especially in Spain, are changing their model of team building. Are the days of going all out to splurge on expensive established players gradually fading? To buy an established player, the clubs would go for one that is either a free agent or close to the end of his contract.

Real Madrid have made this model popular, with its success has endearing other clubs to follow suit. The Spanish giants have a slew of youngsters in their squad. The bulk of the players are Champions League winners. To name a few, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde.

With Los Blancos signing Brazil superstar Endrick, their rivals have joined the game. The Catalan giants usually prefer homegrown talents, but the lack of success in recent years has forced their hand. Following a successful trial with the Nou Camp side, the son of Barcelona legend Ronaldinho is about to sign for the Catalan giants.

Joao Mendes to sign for Barcelona

Joao Mendes, a teen centre forward and son of Ronaldinho, is set to sign for Barcelona after a successful trial with the club last month, a year after leaving his previous club in Brazil.

Joao Mendes spent ten days on trial with the Spanish giants last month as he tried to earn a contract and join the club’s academy. Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Mendes’ uncle and agent Roberto de Assis oversaw the audition to begin negotiations for a permanent move to the club.

Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has confirmed the move. He revealed in an interview with RAC1 that his son would be joining his former club. In a statement by the former Brazil World Cup winner, he confirmed Barcelona would sign Joao. He added that Barça has always been a part of his life and heart, and the tradition will continue with his son.

A weighty legacy to pass on

Mendes had been without a club since February last year when he left Cruzeiro after five years in the Brazilian club’s youth system. During his time at Barcelona, Ronaldinho appeared in 207 games for the club, scoring 94 goals and assisting on another 70. While playing for the Catalan giants, Ronaldinho also won the Ballon d’Or.

Ronaldinho had won the Champions League, two league titles, and two Spanish Super Cups by the time he left Barcelona for AC Milan in 2008.The Brazilian legend hopes his son can replicate what he did for Barcelona, which saw him become one of the world’s best and most beloved footballers 15 years later.

After leaving the Nou Camp, Ronaldinho played for Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro in his native Brazil before joining Mexican club Queretaro for a brief period.

In 2018, he announced his retirement from professional football at 37, three years after leaving his previous club Fluminense.