Championship club Hull City have pulled off quite a coup by snapping up the son of former Barcelona star Ronaldinho, Joao Mendes, with the youngster set to link up with the club’s academy.
Mendes is expected to be part of the club’s Under-21s set-up at Bishop Burton College after joining from Burnley, where he spent just over 12 months following his arrival from Spanish giants Barcelona on a two-year deal before leaving in the summer.
The 20-year-old, who is primarily a left-footed winger, began life in Rio at Cruzeiro’s academy before joining Barcelona’s La Masia academy, the club where his dad made his name during a stellar playing career.
Last term, he played five times in the Premier League Cup, scoring once in a game with Reading and notching up two assists in home and away ties with Luton Town.
Being the son of one of the most famous players in a generation, Mendes said, was a source of pride in a recent interview, but he was keen to try and make his own way in the game.
Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes training at Barcelona youth team (Pics: Getty)
“I want to be João, regardless of anything,” the talented youngster told ESPN Brazil. “I never tried to be my father, I never wanted to be my father. So to get away a bit from where he played [Barça] and what’s close, I think it was a good start and a good step for me.
“I think people on the outside want you to be something you’re never going to be, whether you like it or not, right? It’s good to be here.
“My father was one of the best, if not the best, to ever play the game. So, being his son, being able to talk about him, is a source of pride. I try to do my own thing, I try not to put my father in the middle of things, I try to play my football my way, without pressure.”
Speaking about life in Burnley, Mendes admitted that wrapping up was his way of dealing with temperatures a little cooler than what he’s been used to in Rio and Barcelona.
“It’s difficult at first, there’s no denying that,” he confessed. “Even more so now in winter and here, as it’s in the north, it’s a bit worse. If you put on a glove, two socks, we can manage.
“Even though it’s a small town, people are very passionate and connected to football. You can see it at matches here, because [the fans] always fill the stadium. I think that’s very nice here, the connection they have with the club is very big.”
