Brazil legend Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes has joined the academy of Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona.
Ronaldinho, a former Barcelona player, confirmed his son’s move to the current league leaders.
Mendes, who turns 18 on February 25, was born in Rio de Janeiro while Romaldinho was on Barca’s books.
The teenager spent a number of years at Cruzeiro, who are owned by Ronaldinho’s former international team-mate Ronaldo, before embarking on a trial with Barca in January.
Reports in Italy suggested Barcelona president Joan Laporta granted the teenager extra time to impress. And now, according to comments from Ronaldinho himself, it appears Mendes did enough to convince the Catalan club of his talent.
“Barca is part of my life, and with the arrival of my son in the academy, I will be more present,” Ronaldinho told RAC1. “I have many friends within Barca, Xavi included, and I hope that they can win the league.”
Also Read: ‘Mourinho Has Never Been A Great Coach’ —Ex-Real Madrid Star Blasts
Joao Mendes had been training with Barcelona’s ‘Juvenil’ side in an effort to make an impression. According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, coaches at La Masia were not immediately positive about the youngster, only for Laporta to intervene.
The club president, who began his second stint in the role in 2021, was also in charge when Ronaldinho and Barcelona won the Champions League in 2006.
He reportedly intervened to secure a technical analysis of Mendes’ play before the latest developments.
After joining Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003, Ronaldinho won two league titles and one Champions League trophy with the club.
He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 while on Barca’s books, and was the club’s top scorer in Europe en route to their victory over Arsenal in the 2006 final.
Copyright © 2022 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
You may be interested
Makinde to Folarin, Adelabu, others: let’s work together to make Oyo State better
Webby - March 27, 2023Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged his co-contestants in the March 18 election to support him, to move the…
Ohanaeze, Afenifere bicker over Iwuanyanwu’s Awka comment
Webby - March 27, 2023•He didn’t refer to Yorubas as political rascals —Ohanaeze•Stop insulting the Yoruba race, Afenifere warns By Dayo Johnson with agency…
Votes Cast In All Parts Of Nigeria Are Equal, Abuja Taken As 37th State – Falana Opines On Status Of Abuja Following Electoral Tussle
Webby - March 27, 2023Following the electoral disputes brought by the opposition over INEC's declaration of APC's Bola Tinubu as president-elect despite not getting…
![American Pastor, David Wilson Seen Eating The Box Of Woman Who Isn’t His Wife [Video]](https://onlinenigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/american-pastor-david-wilson-seen-eating-the-box-of-woman-who-isnt-his-wife-video-150x150.jpg)
