• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes makes Barcelona debut, his highlights have emerged online

Home> Football

Published 12:00 6 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes makes Barcelona debut, his highlights have emerged online

Joao Mendes, 17, made his official Barcelona debut for Juvenil B side in the Mediterranean International Cup.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes made his Barcelona debut for Juvenil B at this week's Mediterranean International Cup – and a highlights package of his performance have emerged online.

The 17-year-old forward, who can play across the front line, was announced as a Barcelona player in March after a successful trial period.

Mendes initially struggled in the early stages of his trial at La Masia. In fact, Barca president Joan Laporta asked the club's coaching staff to extend his trial so he could have more time to settle.

Advert

But after a slow start to life with Blaugrana, the teenager was rewarded with a deal after flourishing in the latter stages.

The Catalan giants offered him a contract on March 2 that was signed in the presence of Joan Soler and the director of Barcelona's formative football department Jose Ramon Alexanco.

A few weeks later and Mendes, who has previously played in the youth systems of Paris Saint-Germain, Cruzeiro and Flamengo, started for Juvenil B – the under-19 team at Barcelona – in the Mediterranean International Cup.

Advert

Relevo journalist Albert Roge attended the game and said the forward started on the far right but ended up on the left.

As you can see in the footage below, Mendes showed glimpses of technical ability throughout but some fans pointed out some flaws to his game. Check out the compilation of his performance below.

Before the deal to sign Mendes was made public, a delighted Ronaldinho confirmed the news to Spanish publication Marca,

"Yes he is coming now," he said. "I'm never out of the club. 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."

Advert

Mendes' agent Roberto de Assis, who is also his uncle, was in direct contact with president Laporta to discuss a transfer to the Spanish club.

Laporta and Mendes' father Ronaldinho have maintained a strong relationship following the Brazilian's highly influential spell at the Camp Nou, where he helped Barcelona lift the Champions League in 2006.

READ MORE:

  • Ronaldinho's son hid his identity during trial, nobody knew his dad was one of the greats

Thoughts on Mendes' performance on his debut? Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@albert_roge

Topics: Ronaldinho, Brazil, Barcelona, La Liga

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Rio Ferdinand Has One Condition for Interviewing John Terry

    The Manchester United legend has set one rule for interviewing his former teammate.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Maccabi Tel Aviv Derby Cancelled Amid Aston Villa Stadium Ban Following Riots

    The Israeli club's match against their fiercest rival has been called off days after being banned from Villa Park.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Zinedine Zidane Picked Who Was 'Key' For England Between Steven Gerrard And Frank Lampard

    The France and Real Madrid legend made his decision about the midfield duo.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Rangers Turned Down By Second Manager 'At 11th Hour' After Steven Gerrard Snub

    Gerrard pulled out of the Rangers managerial race on Wednesday - and now a second manager is having doubts.

    Football
  • Lamine Yamal's Family Have Three Special Privileges Granted by Barcelona
  • Ex-Barcelona Star 'Destroyed' by Football Is Now Living Very Different Life
  • Barcelona Make Early Decision on Signing Marcus Rashford Permanently From Man Utd
  • Spanish Press Reach Marcus Rashford Verdict as Barcelona Thrashed 4-1