Ronaldinho's son joins unexpected Championship club

Burnley have pulled off what appears to be a coup in the transfer market by signing the son of two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, following his departure from Barcelona.

An image of Joao Mendes holding up a Burnley shirt in an apparent signing photograph circulated on social media and was followed by reports that he has agreed a two-year contract at Turf Moor.

The winger was recruited by Barcelona and joined La Masia in early 2023, having previously played in the youth section of a number of clubs in Brazil – including Flamengo, Vasco da Gama and Cruzeiro.

But he has been on the move again this summer and has landed in Lancashire.

Mendes turned 19 in February and is yet to make a first-team appearance in his career to date, although it has been noted that he did occasionally train with the seniors at Barcelona.

The player is the son of Ronaldinho and Janaina Mendes. The couple met when Janaina was a dancer on Brazilian television show Domingao do Faustao. Their son was born in Rio De Janeiro in 2005.

Mendes signed a contract with Nike as early as 2019, with brands hoping he would inherit his father's footballing gift. Both parents were present as he put pen to paper.

It remains to be seen what role he might have at Burnley. Existing Brazilian players Vitinho and Lucas Pires should at least make the process of settling slightly less of a culture shock.

Scott Parker has taken over from Vincent Kompany after the Belgian coach was poached by Bayern Munich at the end of last season. The Clarets find themselves back in the Championship hoping that their latest stay in the second tier will be brief, with Premier League promotion the objective.

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