Ronaldinho’s son signs for Championship side in one of summer’s biggest transfer surprises

Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes has signed for Championship side Burnley.

The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year-deal with the Clarets.

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Mendes’ contract with Barcelona ran out earlier in the summer and there have been no indications that an extension would be signed.

And now, the young winger has now been pictured alongside his agent holding a Burnley jersey.

The Brazilian legend’s son did initially look to have been following in his father’s footsteps, having signed for Barcelona’s academy back in March 2023.

Ronaldinho spent five years at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008 and in that time he won five trophies with the club – two La Liga titles, two Supercopa trophies and a Champions League.

He scored 94 goals in the 207 appearances he made for the club in that time.

It was also during his tenure with the Spanish club that he won the Ballon d’Or, pipping closest contenders Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Thierry Henry to take home the award in 2005.

And back when his son made the move across to the Catalan giants, the former winger spoke out in support of the move and explained just how much it meant to him.

Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, he said: “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.”

The international star reached global stardom, especially after Brazil’s World Cup victory in 2002 and their Copa America win in 1999.

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But his son Mendes has not quite yet become so prolific and he certainly did not quite have the playing time at Barcelona that he might have liked.

After making his debut for the club in a friendly fixture against Manchester United in February 2023, Mendes did not then feature again for another two months until he was given game time at the Mediterranean International Cup.

And it now looks as though his father will have to swap out a Barcelona shirt for a Burnley one if he is to continue supporting his son from the sidelines.

And fans have taken to X to express just how they are feeling about the surprising move.

One wrote: “Ronaldinho’s Son, João Mendes has signed for Burnley. I repeat, RONALDINHO’S SON has signed for BURNLEY FOOTBALL CLUB. WHAT.”

Another added: “The son of THE Ronaldinho is now a BURNLEY player???”

And a third commented: “Let’s see if he can follow in his father’s footsteps.”

Burnley, who were relegated from the Premier League last season after picking up just 24 points, will be looking to replicate the achievements of the 2022/23 season which saw them win the Championship.

And Mendes will be coming into the team determined to help them do just that.

Under new manager Scott Parker, the side have begun their 2024/25 campaign well by registering a 4-1 win over Luton Town in their first game – with the Hatters also having been relegated from the top tier last season.

Speaking after the game, Parker told talkSPORT that the performance had been an enjoyable one to watch.

“I think what pleased me the most was in the execution of the game plan today, really, in terms of the work that we put into the team and the planning. coming here against a difficult side in terms of the way they play, man-for-man team.

“I thought we executed both sides of the game in possession and out of possession. I thought the team were brilliant in terms of the detail and the information we give them.

“They executed very, very well and, of course, a really positive result as well, which was very pleasing.”