The son of soccer icon Ronaldinho, Joao Mendes begins his journey to match his father's legendary career from the unexpected Lancashire confines of Burnley.
Mendes played most recently for FC Barcelona's U-19 outfit, with Brazilian publication Globo reporting that he signed a two-year contract with the northern English club after completing his medical. He was also spotted around Turf Moor holding up a Clarets jersey alongside his representation.
The young attacking starlet was born in 2005 in Rio de Janeiro while his father reached the peak of his powers with Barcelona. Considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Ronaldinho began his career with local side Gremio before arriving in Europe with Paris Saint-Germain.
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Ronaldinho played his best soccer with the Catalan club, scoring 70 goals in 145 matches while scooping up the 2005 Ballon d'Or trophy before triumphing in the Champions League final, before ending his European career with AC Milan. The attacking midfield maestro also remains a hero of the Selecao, scoring 33 goals for Brazil and lifting the 2002 World Cup trophy.
Mendes, born to Ronaldinho and professional dancer Janaina Mendes, quickly adopted his father's passion for the sport, asking his mother to enroll him in a soccer school at just four years old. He initially signed with the academy of Brazilian giants Flamenco before inking his first professional contract with Cruzeiro at age 13, despite initially hiding his father's identity from fellow trialists and the club's coaching staff.
Following further in Dinho's footsteps, Mendes went on trial at Barcelona, where he reportedly failed to impress the coaching staff. However, after an extension for further technical analysis and the former star's influence, Mendes was signed in March 2023 and assigned to the youth team.
"He is coming now. Barcelona is part of life," Ronaldinho said about Mendes' role with the club. "Wherever I go I take Barcelona with me. With the arrival of my son at Barca I'll be more present than ever."
While his father shone in the middle of the pitch, Mendes has proven best suited to the left side, operating both as a fullback and a winger. And despite not scoring a goal this season with the U-19 squad, Mendes appeared to improve as the season progressed, earning 238 minutes as local journalist Gabrielle Sans reported positive sentiments surrounding his "commitment, effort and humility."
Still, the Catalan giants were willing to depart with Mendes for free this summer, looking to continue his father's legacy from the unassuming Turf Moor and the EFL Championship after Burnley suffered relegation from the English top flight. The Clarets managed just five wins last season and lost manager Vincent Kompany in a shock departure to Bayern Munich but have acclimated well to the second tier, battering fellow 2023-24 relegation fodder Luton Town 4-1 in their opening game on Monday.
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