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Barcelona sign legend's son after trial with B-team
Barcelona have signed 17-year-old Joao Mendes, the son of former Blaugrana star Ronaldinho after the youngster had been on trial with the club for a few weeks.
Barcelona sign Ronaldinho's son
Joao Mendes was supposedly rejected by the Barcelona coaches initially but was signed after President Joan Laporta weighed in on the issue due to his relationship with Blaugrana legend Ronaldinho.
Laporta was president when Barcelona signed Ronaldinho and the club has shown interest in continuing that tradition and relationship by bringing his son to the club as well.
The 17-year-old announced his signing on Instagram with pictures of him signing his contract at the Barcelona offices.
Joao Mendes is expected first to join Barcelona’s youth team playing in the third tier of Spanish football before making the step up to the senior squad.
Joao Mendes has big shoes to fill at Barcelona after his father changed the course of history when he joined the club, and it is left to be seen if he will live up to the expectations, although that seems an unfair task for the youngster.
Ronaldinho’s legacy at Barcelona
Barcelona were on the brink of ruin after missing out on their preferred target, David Beckham, when they chose to sign Ronaldinho and the years that followed would prove that they were lucky to get the Brazilian even though he was not their first choice.
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With Barcelona, Ronaldinho exploded into life as he helped the Catalan giants to two LaLiga titles, two Supercopas de Espana, and a UEFA Champions League title in 2006.
The Brazilian superstar was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and also won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 as well after another exceptional year.
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