Ronaldinho's son set to join Barcelona

In a recent interview, Barcelona legend Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, popularly known as Ronaldinho, announced that his 17-year-old son Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira, who goes by the moniker Joao Mendes, is set to join his former club. 

Joao Mendes, the son of the two-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year, had been without a club since parting with Cruzeiro in 2022 but went on trial with Barcelona in January 2023. 

It is believed that Joao Mendes initially failed to impress during his trial at Barcelona, with coaches unwilling to sign him, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta asked for an extension of his trial with the club. 

Now Ronaldinho has said that Barcelona have agreed to sign Joao Mendes on a permanent basis, saying, “I can confirm Barcelona will sign Joao; Barça has always been part of my life and my heart, and it will continue with my son.”

Ronaldinho was at Barcelona for five seasons, played 207 games for the club, and worked his way from a replacement signing to an absolute legend of the club. 

He led them to their first UEFA Champions League title in 12 years with the 2006 triumph, and he also won the LaLiga title in 2005 and 2006. 

Now Ronaldinho hopes that his son Joao Mendes can carry on his legacy from where he stopped and write his own story of greatness with the Catalan giants.