All About Ronaldinho's Son João Mendes

Mar. 15, 2025

Former Brazilian professional soccer player Ronaldinho (right) and son João Mendes (left).Photo:Getty

Getty

Ronaldinhomay be a soccer legend, but his son João Mendes is creating his own legacy in the sport.

Ronaldinho is considered one of the greatest and most revered soccer players of all time, known for his fancy footwork, trick plays, ability to score creative goals and for the joy with which he played. During his career withBarcelona FC, he earned the 2005Ballon d’Or, twoFIFA Player of the Year Awardsand during his time playing for his national team, Brazil, he helped lead them to aWorld Cupvictory in 2002.

During the peak of his career, Ronaldinho and professional dancer Janaína Mendes welcomed their son João on Feb. 25, 2005. João looks to be taking after his dad, having transferred to Burnley F.C. in August 2024, after playing for FC Barcelona’s youth club — the same team where his father had his greatest years.

When João signed with Barcelona’s youth club, Ronaldinho expressed both pride in his son and excitement about the opportunity to watch him play.

“Yes, he [João] is coming [to Barcelona] now,” Ronaldinho told Spanish radio station RAC-1 in 2023, according to Spanish outletMarca. “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.”

Here is everything to know about legendary soccer player Ronaldinho and professional dancer Janaina Mendes’ soccer-playing son, João Mendes.

João was born in Brazil in 2005

Ronaldinho with son Joao.Instagram/ mendesjoao

Instagram/ mendesjoao

João was born in Rio De Janeiro, meaning he may one day play for the Brazilian national team just like his father. When João turned 18 in 2023, Ronaldinho shared a birthday post with pictures of the two out on the town and traveling to commemorate the occasion.

“My big partner’s day!!! Happy birthday my son… ❤️🤙🏾,” Ronaldinhowrote in Portuguese on Instagram.

João shares his name with Ronaldinho’s late father

Ronaldinho with his son Joao.Instagram/ Ronaldinho

Instagram/ Ronaldinho

João Mendes is not the first of his name in the Ronaldinho family.

Ronaldinho’s father was named João de Assis Moreira, but tragically died when Ronaldinho was just 8 years old in a swimming accident at their home. Ronaldinho wrote about how much his father meant to him in a letter to his younger self forThe Player’s Tribune.

“Dad was a superhero. He loved [soccer] so much that even after working at the shipyard during the week, he would work security at Grêmio’s stadium on the weekend,” Ronaldinho wrote, referring to the soccer team from Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul.

João comes from an athletic family, including an uncle who works as an agent

Joao Mendes with father Ronaldinho, and his aunt and uncle.Instagram/ ronaldinho

Instagram/ ronaldinho

João comes from a long line of athletes. Outside of his legendary father, João’s uncle Roberto de Assis Moreira — Ronaldinho’s brother, who is more commonly referred to as Assis — is best known for playing soccer for Grêmio and for Sion FC in Switzerland. He is also known for having worked as both Ronaldinho’s agent and been involved in João’s career.

Ronaldinho shares pictures of him and João spending time together

Ronaldinho and son Joao.Instagram/ ronaldinho

Ronaldinho regularly posts updates on social media of him and João spending time together. Their activities vary from playing soccer together to having dinner and more.

Once, Ronaldinho even posted a picture of him and his son at the “Fragments of Gaucho” — the legendary soccer player is also known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho — exhibition. The snap showed the father-son duo taking a selfie in front of paintings of Ronaldinho.

“#TBTof a very special day with my son @mendesjoao at the amazing exhibition “Fragments of a Gaucho” 🤙🏾,” Ronaldinhowrote on Instagramin 2020.

Ronaldinho played in an exhibition game on the same team as his son and won

Ronaldinho celebrating his son Joao’s birthday.Instagram/ ronaldinho

Although the game was stopped due to weather and fans invading the field after 55 minutes, Ronaldinho and João had their team up 4-3 when the game was stopped.

João’s parents were with him when he signed with Nike

Joao Mendes signs with Nike.Instagram/ ronaldinho

In 2019, João took after his father Ronaldinho in another way as he signed withNike. Both Ronaldinho — who first signed with the sports brand in 2003 — and Janaína were in attendance for their son’s milestone.

“Newest member of the@nikefamily!!! Soccer with joy !!! 🤙🏾,” Ronaldinhowrote on Instagramat the time.

João played with Barcelona FC, just like his dad

Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira plays soccer with Barcelona FC.Getty

Ronaldinho had a legendary career with FC Barcelona, known as one of the greatest players of all time. He helped deliver the team two La Liga titles, two Spanish Supercups and a Champions League trophy.

João signed with Burnley in 2024

Joao with his father, Ronaldinho.Instagram/ ronaldinho

“I feel blessed to be here and I’m excited to take on this opportunity,” João toldBurnley. “The project is great and although the weather is different to what I’m used to where I’m from in Brazil, I can tell how passionate the fans are about [soccer] here and I really like the town.”

“The other players have been very receptive, speaking to me and making me feel part of the group. Training has been great so far too,” João continued. “I’m a technical and fast player and my main [goal] is helping the team win games.”

source: people.com