Ronaldinho’s son ‘completes shock move to Championship club’ in bid to make breakthrough – after moving to England from Barcelona to ‘get away’ from comparisons to his superstar dad
Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira has reportedly completed a move to a Championship club as he bids to make a breakthrough in his football career.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, played for various clubs including Flamengo and Vasco da Gama during his youth career.
He signed his first professional contract with the Brazilian side Cruzeiro at the age of 14.
Mendes had reportedly hidden the identity of his superstar father from staff as he sought to earn a contract at the club.
After four years, Mendes left Cruzeiro in 2022 and followed in his superstar father’s footsteps by joining Barcelona in March 2023.
Mendes was part of Barcelona’s Under-19 set up for over a year, before taking the decision to move to Burnley at the start of last season.
Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira has reportedly completed a move to Hull
Mendes played for Burnley’s Under-21 side last year but left at the end of the season
Mendes, however, was among the players released by Burnley at the end of the 2024-25 season following the Clarets promotion to the Premier League.
The attacking midfielder had been part of Burnley’s under-21 set-up, but signalled his departure from the club last April with an Instagram post with the caption ‘last dance’ accompanying a photo of him playing.
According to the Hull Daily Mail, Mendes has reportedly completed a move to Hull City, where he will be part of their Under-21 squad.
Mendes, who largely plays as a left winger, has described himself as a ‘technical and fast player.’
Speaking earlier this year, Mendes told ESPN that he had moved to England in part to escape the comparisons to his father at Barcelona, with Ronaldinho widely seen as one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Having won the World Cup in 2002, Ronaldinho joined Barcelona from PSG the following year, and went on to win the Ballon d’Or in 2005. He was also named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
Ronaldinho won LaLiga twice and the Champions League in 2006, as Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 in the final in Paris.
‘I want to be João, regardless of anything,’ Mendes told ESPN, reflecting on his decision to join Burnley.
Mendes admitted he left Barcelona to help escape comparisons to his legendary father
‘I never tried to be my father, I never wanted to be my father. So to get away a bit from where he played 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?
‘I’ve always been proud to be the son of who I am.
‘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’.
