Son of R10, the young man stood out acting as a striker in Cruzeiro’s youth teams
João Mendes, son of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, aged 18, signed a contract with Barcelona this Thursday (02), joining the base team of the Catalan club, where his father was also successful.
On social media, the club said: “The player João Mendes signed, in the presence of manager Joan Soler Ferre and Training Football director José Ramon Alexanco, his incorporation to FC Barcelona in the youth phase.”
Result of Ronaldinho’s relationship with Janaína Natielle Mendes, a former ballerina, João made his career in Cruzeiro’s youth categories since May 2018, when he was 13 years old. His mother was one of those responsible for choosing to work at the Minas Gerais club, when the young man signed an agreement to train with the team a year later.
With a standout spell playing as a striker and midfielder, the youngster left Cruzeiro’s youth team last year to carry out trials at Barcelona.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho himself confirmed that the signing was close to being completed. However, it was still uncertain in which category the player would act. Negotiations were made with president Joan Laporta and Assis, brother of R10, who was also his manager.
At the time, Barça president Joan Laporta said: “We are proud to continue the Ronaldinho saga. We want Ronaldinho’s son to continue his career here. We are going to make him a contract. I don’t know if it will be for Juvenil B. The kid has quality and we are happy.”
“We like to maintain this relationship with Ronaldinho. The pressure on the boy is great, because Ronaldinho was one of the best in history. The son has pressure, but it is up to our coaches that he can develop his skills.”
