• 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 hid his identity during trial, nobody knew his dad was one of the greats

Home> Football

Updated 22:00 7 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 17:55 7 Feb 2023 GMT

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

Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes is following in his footsteps after joining Barcelona.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Ronaldinho's son hid his identity during a trial, with players and staff completely unaware his dad was one of the greatest players ever to play the game.

Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira looks exactly like his Ballon d'Or winning dad but wanted to carve his own path when he went on trial with Brazilian side Cruzeiro as a 13-year-old.

As per Globo Esporte, he is said to have 'charmed the scouts' but they had no idea that his legendary old man is arguably football's best ever entertainer.

Advert

Nobody knew his family lineage as Mendes didn't want it to have a bearing on the final decision.

But he clearly made a huge impression as Cruzeiro brought him into the youth system after his mother Janaina Natielle Mendes gave her seal of approval.

Mendes had also spent time in the academy of Ronaldinho's former club Flamengo and played indoor football for Vasco de Gama.

He signed a six-year professional deal with Cruzeiro and scored two goals during a youth tournament over in China.

Instagram/_@mendesjoao_
Instagram/_@mendesjoao_

Mendes left after four seasons and was without a club for nearly a year before he bagged a trial with Barcelona, the club his father is best associated with.

It didn't go too smoothly at first, with the 17-year-old initially struggling during his period playing with the Blaugrana's Under 19 side.

President Joan Laporta, who has a great relationship with Ronaldinho, reportedly asked the club's coaching staff to extend his trial to further inspect the player.

Image: Instagram/_@mendesjoao_
Image: Instagram/_@mendesjoao_

However, Mendes started adjusting and showed what he's all about, resulting in Barcelona offering him a contract.

Roberto de Assis, his uncle and agent, was in contact with Laporta throughout and facilitated the transfer.


And Ronaldinho, who won the Champions League with Barca in 2006 and remains an ambassador, has confirmed the news.

"Yes he is coming now," he told RAC1, via MARCA.

"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."

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/_@mendesjoao_
Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Jarrod Bowen 'makes decision' on West Ham future with shock transfer on the cards

    The West Ham captain is subject to transfer speculation.

    Football
  • Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Mo Salah 'to leave' Liverpool as shock new summer destination emerges

    The Liverpool star has been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Leeds fans slammed as boos ring out at Elland Road during Ramadan break

    Leeds agreed to the pause in play for Manchester City players to break their fast but home fans booed loudly.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Jurgen Klopp reveals what he'll do if Man City are stripped of Premier League titles

    The former Liverpool boss has already said his plans...

    Football
  • Patrick Bamford reveals the hidden cost of being a professional footballer and nobody knew about it
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Son in Talks to Join Club His Dad Previously Played For
  • Inter Milan and Barcelona equal Champions League record that nobody thought was possible during insane tie
  • Ashes History Made on Day One of 2025 Series That Nobody Thought Was Possible