Brazilian Ballon d'Or winner's son set for sensational move to Championship side

By
published

Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes has made the move to Burnley after departing Barcelona

Ronaldinho takes a free-kick for Brazil, 2006
Ronaldino won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Burnley look set to sign up Joao Mendes - son of former Brazilian international Ronaldino - following his departure from Barcelona.

Mendes spent 15 months at his father's former club after joining in January 2023, but was left at the end of his contract earlier this summer.

The 19-year-old winger now looks set to make the move to newly-relegated Burnley after being pictured alongside his agent holding a Clarets shirt at a club facility in the East Lancs.

VIDEO EA FC 25 Upgrades: slip passes, dribbling, pass accuracy, professional fouls

Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes set for Burnley move

Journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted the picture of Mendes, who the Express claim has agreed terms on a two-year contract after flying in for a medical on Wednesday.

A hugely entertaining player in his pomp, Ronaldinho enjoyed a glittering career at club level that was capped by his 2005 Ballon d'Or win while at Barcelona.

Ronaldinho won 97 caps for Brazil and helped them to win the 2002 World Cup, memorably scoring the winning goal by curling an outrageous long-distance free kick past David Seaman as the side beat England 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Scott Parker's Burnley have meanwhile make a superb start to life back in the Championship after spending just a year back in the Premier League under Vincent Kompany last season.

Burnley ran out 4-1 winners away to fellow relegatees Luton Town on Monday evening, kickstarting life back in the Championship with a strong performance.

Mendes is now set to join up with the squad and stake a claim for the side, joining a growing Brazilian contingent at Turf Moore alongside Vitinho and Lucas Pires. Unlike his dad, the 19-year-old is a left-footed right-winger, who is also capable of playing centrally. 

Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira, son of Ronaldinho Gaucho, playing with the FC Barcelona youth team in a match against SD Huesca, in Barcelona, on 08th october 2023. (Photo by Noelia Deniz/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Joao Mendes playing for Barca (Image credit: Getty Images)

More EFL stories

The death of the Saturday 3pm kick-off or brave new world? EFL enters Sky Sports+ era with massive implications for fans

Season ticket holder turns up to game to his find seat does not exist

What are the EFL squad rules for 2024/25? Loanee limits, home grown players and how many subs are allowed

Steven Chicken
Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.