Laporta Confirms Ronaldinho’s Son, Joao Mendes Will Play For Barcelona

Brazilian retired professional footballer Ronaldinho, officially confirmed on Thursday that his son, Joao Mendes, will play for Barcelona.

Naija News recalls Ronaldinho enjoyed five seasons with the Catalans and won the league title twice and the Champions League before leaving for AC Milan in 2008.

Speaking during an interview with RAC-1, Ronaldinho publicly announced that the Catalan giants would sign his 17-year-old son.

Mendes recently terminated his contract with the Brazilian club Cruzeiro. Like his father, the striker has secured a Spanish passport and is reportedly represented by his uncle, Roberto de Assis.

“With the arrival of my son at Barcelona, I will be more present than ever at the club,” Ronaldinho said during the interview.

He added: “I am never outside the club. Barcelona is part of my life. Wherever I go, I take Barcelona with me. With the arrival of my son at Barcelona, I will be more present than ever.”

“Yes, he is coming now,” Ronaldinho reiterated when quizzed about whether or not his son would play for the Catalan side.

Confirming the development on Thursday, Spanish politician and current president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, said: “We’re proud to continue the Ronaldinho ‘saga’. His son Joao will have a contract with us, he’s good — we still don’t know if it will be with Juvenil B team”.