How Ronaldinho’s Son Hid His Identity From Barcelona

Ronaldinho’s son gets into the Barcelona academy after a successful trial as part of their Under-19 side.
Joao Mendes did that while hiding the fact he was the son of the club’s legend during his trial.
Mendes went without a club for a full year before bagging the trial with Barcelona.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Barcelona Football Club has signed the son of legendary footballer Ronaldinho, Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira, as a part of their Under-19 side.

Despite being the son of one of the greatest players to have ever played the game, Mendes kept his identity hidden during his trial and impressed the scouts with his own abilities.

According to Globo Esporte, Mendes started his football journey as a 13-year-old, going on trial with Brazilian side Cruzeiro. He wanted to make a name for himself, separate from his father’s legacy and charmed the scouts with his skills.

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However, they were unaware of his family lineage at the time. Impressed by his abilities, Cruzeiro signed him into their youth system, where he spent four seasons, scoring two goals during a youth tournament in China.

Mendes was without a club for nearly a year before he bagged a trial with Barcelona, the club where his father made a name for himself and won the Champions League in 2006.

Although it was a difficult start for the 17-year-old, struggling during his trial period with the Under 19 side, the club’s president Joan Laporta, who has a great relationship with Ronaldinho, asked the club’s coaching staff to extend his trial to further evaluate his abilities.

The young footballer started adjusting and showed his full potential, resulting in Barcelona offering him a contract. Roberto de Assis, Mendes’ uncle and agent, was in contact with Laporta throughout the transfer process and facilitated the move.

Ronaldinho, who remains an ambassador of the club, has confirmed the news and expressed his excitement about his son’s arrival at the club.