Joao Mendes de Asis Moreira, the son of former Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, is following in his father’s footsteps. The 17-year-old footballer has already given a trial to play in Barcelona‘s under-19 team, ESPN has reported.
Although he gave a trial for Barcelona’s Juvenile ‘A’ team, it is not yet certain whether the Catalan club will make a final contract with him. The left-footed footballer excels across the frontline.
Joao Mendes has been playing for the Brazilian club Cruzeiro since the age of 14. But recently he canceled this contract. Then he joined Barcelona through some family members. However, the contract with him was not finalized by Barca.
The responsibility of looking after the career of Joao Mendez now rests on the shoulders of his uncle Roberto de Asis Moreira. Who himself played at Barca during Ronaldinho’s time.
“Barça is part of my life,” Ronaldinho told Spanish radio RAC 1. I was never an outsider at Barca. Wherever I went, I took Barça with me. Now since my son came to Barca, my relationship with Barca has become stronger.
When asked if his son is going to get a chance to play for Barca, the Brazilian legend said, ‘Yes, he will.’
Roberto de Asis Moreira was asked how the patience of Joao Mendez or his family is. In response, he said, “We are not in such a hurry to take a decision.” Coming from Latin America, it takes time to create the environment to adapt here.
Joao Mendez’s father Ronaldinho spent 5 years at Barca. He played from 2003 to 2008. This period of his is considered as a memorable period in the history of Barca. He scored 94 goals in Barca’s jersey after playing 207 matches. Barca won two Spanish La Liga titles in addition to the 2006 Champions League title.
Joao Mendez is currently training with Barca’s Under-19 team. Oscar Lopez is the coach of the team. His assistant is Javier Saviola. Saviolo was a former Argentinian forward who played alongside Ronaldinho at Barcelona.
Like Ronaldinho, he also has a Spanish passport. It was known that Barca’s contract with Mendez will be decided by Barca’s youth team coach.
