Ronaldinho’s Son João Mendes Joins Burnley

• Burnley’s New Signing: Burnley have officially signed João Mendes, son of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho.
• Football Journey: Mendes, who holds dual citizenship with Brazil and Spain, began his career at Flamengo’s youth academy and has played for Vasco de Gama, Boavista-RJ, and Cruzeiro.
• Talent and Trials: Mendes caught the eye of scouts early, signing a six-year contract with Cruzeiro at 14, though they were unaware of his famous lineage at the time.
• Future Prospects: Mendes, known for his agility and goal-scoring ability, will now look to carve out his own legacy at Burnley.

Burnley Football Club has made a significant addition to their squad by signing João Mendes, the son of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho.

The news was confirmed by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who tweeted, “Ronaldinho’s son João Mendes has signed in as a new Burnley player.”

Mendes, who holds dual citizenship in Brazil and Spain, has had a dynamic football journey that began at the tender age of four when he asked his mother to enroll him in a football school. His talent quickly became apparent, leading him to join Flamengo’s youth academy. He later moved through the ranks of Vasco de Gama and Boavista-RJ.

In 2019, Mendes impressed scouts during a trial and signed a six-year contract with Cruzeiro, one of Brazil’s most prominent football clubs. Notably, the scouts at Cruzeiro were unaware of Mendes’ famous heritage, as he had intentionally kept his identity as Ronaldinho’s son a secret.

After three years with Cruzeiro, Mendes decided to explore other opportunities, including a trial with Barcelona.

Although his playing style bears similarities to his father’s—both are adept at playing as second strikers and attacking midfielders—Mendes stands out with his own unique attributes. Unlike his father, who was known for his quick feet and left-footed sharpness, Mendes is slightly shorter at 5’8″ and brings a different physical presence to the field.

Now at Burnley, João Mendes is poised to forge his own path in the football world, aiming to make a name for himself just as his father did during his illustrious career.