Joao Mendes, the son of FC Barcelona legend, Ronaldinho, has made his Barcelona debut against Manchester United.
At a Mundo Deportivo gala last week, the Brazilian World Cup champion revealed that his 17-year-old child would follow in his footsteps and don Blaugrana. Due to his son joining the Catalans after successfully completing a trial, Ronaldinho also claimed he would be “more present” at Camp Nou in the future.
As confirmed by SPORT on Thursday afternoon, Joao Mendes made his debut in a friendly against a Manchester United youth team.
He starred in a side that was a mix of La Masia’s Juvenil A and B, and while referring to him as ‘Ronaldinho Junior’, the Catalan daily newspaper said that there were signs that he will need time “to adjust to the Barca style and the European rhythm of the game” following his move from Minas Gerais giants Cruzeiro.
❗Ronaldinho’s son, João Mendes, made his debut today with Juvenil A team in a friendly match against the Man Utd youth team.
• Barça’s idea is to reinforce Juvenil A this season, although it will be necessary to see what role he will have.#FCB 🇧🇷
Via: @tomasandreu68 [sport]
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) February 16, 2023
Joao Mendes has huge boots to fill, with his father Barca’s biggest star of the 2000s.
Ronaldinho helped pull the Blaugrana out of one of its darkest eras at the turn of the Millenium and returned it to winning ways with two La Liga titles and the 2005/2006 Champions League clinched against Arsenal in Paris.
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Barca’s president, Laporta is as aware as anyone of the enormity of the name Joao Mendes has to live up to.
“The pressure that the boy has is very great, because Ronaldinho was one of the best in history.
“The son has pressure, but it is the job of our coaches to develop his skills,” he explained.
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