BARCELONA — The son of former Brazilian striker Ronaldinho is currently on trial with Barcelona’s youth (Under 19) team, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira, 17, trains with Barça’s Juvenil A team, waiting for it to be decided whether to grant him an indefinite contract.
The teenager has been playing for Cruzeiro since he was 14 years old, but recently terminated his contract with the Brazilian team.
Joao Mendes, who has been joined by several members of his family in Barcelona, is a left-footed striker who can play from end to end.
His career is currently being overseen by his uncle, Roberto de Assis Moreira, who also played an active role in Ronaldinho’s playing career.
The source asked for “patience”, explaining that there is no rush to make a decision and that you have to remember that it takes time to adjust to a new country when coming from South America.
Ronaldinho spent five years at the Camp Nou between 2003 and 2008 and his time at the club is fondly remembered in the city.
He scored 94 goals in 207 appearances for Barça, helping them win the Champions League in 2006 and two LaLiga titles.
Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are among his other previous clubs, while he also won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. He retired as a player in 2015.
His son is now training with Barca’s Under 19 team, which is coached by Oscar Lopez, whose assistant is Javier Saviola, the former Argentina striker who played alongside Ronaldinho.
