When people hear the name João Mendes, the first thing that comes to mind is his famous father, Ronaldinho. But the 21-year-old is steadily creating his own story in football. Born in Brazil in February 2005, João has already played in the youth systems of Barcelona, Burnley and Hull City. While his father became one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen, João is now working to make a name for himself on his own terms.
How João Mendes followed Ronaldinho’s footsteps into football
João Mendes de Assis Moreira was born on Feb. 25, 2005, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the only son of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho and professional dancer Janaína Mendes. Football has always been part of his life. Growing up around one of the sport’s biggest stars naturally brought attention, but João chose to pursue the game himself. In 2019, another major moment arrived when he signed with Nike, the same sports brand that has long been associated with his father. Ronaldinho and Janaína were both present to support him during the signing. João also carries a family name with special meaning. He was named after Ronaldinho’s father, João de Assis Moreira, who passed away in a swimming accident when Ronaldinho was a child.
João Mendes played for Barcelona, Burnley and Hull City
The biggest step in João’s early career came in March 2023 when he joined Barcelona’s youth setup. It was a special moment for the family because Ronaldinho spent some of the best years of his career at the Spanish club. Speaking to RAC-1 in 2023, as reported by Marca, Ronaldinho said: “Yes, he is coming now. I’m never out of the club. Barcelona is part of life. Wherever I go I take Barcelona with me. With the arrival of my son at Barca, I’ll be more present than ever.” After spending about a year in Barcelona’s system, João moved to England. He signed with Burnley in August 2024 and joined the club’s Under-21 side. Speaking after the move, João said: “I feel blessed to be here and I’m excited to take on this opportunity. The project is great.” His journey continued in September 2025 when he joined Hull City Academy, where he remains focused on his development.
Ronaldinho and João Mendes share a close bond on and off the field
Despite his busy football career, João remains very close to his father. The pair regularly appear together on social media and have shared several important moments. One of the most memorable came in 2023 when they played on the same team during an exhibition match called “The Beautiful Game” in Orlando. For football fans, it was a rare chance to watch father and son share the field together. Today, João continues to work toward his professional goals, carrying a famous surname while trying to build a football story that is uniquely his own.
