Who is Joao Mendes? Ronaldinho's son signs for Barca but can he emulate father?

The son of former Barcelona and Brazilian legend, Ronaldinho, has joined Barca's youth academy.

Joao de Assis Moreira, more commonly know as Joao Mendes, took part in a trial with the Spanish side in January.

However, the 17-year-old initially failed to impress the club during last month's trial.

Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, called for the club to remain patient with Mendes.

Eventually, the Brazilian would go on to impress in the latter stages of the trial which would then earn him a contract with Barcelona's academy.

Over the years, La Masia has produced a plethora of talent that went on to become iconic figures at the club.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique have all gone on to succeed with the club after progressing through the academy.

So far, Mendes has only played his football in Brazil. Mendes started out at Flamengo's youth academy before playing for the likes of Vasco de Gama and Boavista-RJ.

The Brazilian and Spanish dual citizen first took an interest in football at the age of four, when he asked his mother to enroll him in a football school.

In 2019, Mendes would sign a six-year contract with Cruzeiro following a successful trial.

During the trial with Cruzeiro, Mendes 'charmed the scouts' with his quick feet and eye for goal, according to Globo Esporte.

With that being said, the Brazilian side had no idea that the youngster was Ronaldinho's son, with Mendes hiding his identity.

After three years at Cruzeiro, Mendes would leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

It took the forward nearly a year of searching for a club before Barcelona offered Mendes a trial.

The young Brazilian operates in a similar position as his father, Ronaldinho.

Mendes can play in any position in attack, but is predominately a second-striker and can also play as an attacking midfielder.

As for Ronaldinho, the Brazilian was a tall, two-footed winger who caused havoc for most of his opponents.

Mendes is different compared to his father. He is 5'8, has quick feet and prefers to use his left foot in the final third.

Mendes will be hoping to emulate Ronaldinho's success at Barcelona, but may find it difficult to do so.

The fact that the youngster struggled to impress Barcelona during the first trial shows that Mendes may find it hard to break into the first team.

The same can't be said for Ronaldinho. The Brazilian enjoyed a glittering career at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008.

In that time, Ronaldinho won two La Liga titles and a Champions League.

In total, he played 207 times, scored 94 goals and registered 70 assists for the Spanish side.

The forward also won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and the 2002 World Cup with Brazil.

Currently, Ronaldinho operates as an ambassador for Barcelona, but has promised that with his son's arrival, he will be more 'present than ever'.

'Yes he is coming now,' Ronaldinho told Spanish outlet Marca.

'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.'