Meet Ronaldinho's Son, Fellow Soccer Star João Mendes

Skyler Trepel, Caroline BlairFri, April 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

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Ronaldinho Gaúcho during the Champions League Semi Final on April 26, 2006 in Barcelona; Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira playing with the FC Barcelona youth team on October 8th, 2023 in Barcelona.Credit: Liewig Christian/Corbis via Getty; Noelia Deniz/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty -

Ronaldinho is a father to one son, João Mendes, whom he welcomed in February 2005

The former professional soccer player's son has followed in his footsteps and is also pursuing a career in the sport

João signed with Hull City Academy in September 2025

Legendary soccer player Ronaldinho may have some competition with his son, João Mendes!

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year became a father in February 2005 when he welcomed João with professional dancer Janaína Mendes. Since then, the two have developed a close bond and frequently post pictures with each other and their family.

Ronaldinho, who helped lead his Brazil national team to a World Cup win in 2002, rose to fame as one of the best soccer players of all time with Barcelona FC for most of his career. He retired in 2018 and has gone on to support João, who is launching a soccer career of his own.

In 2023, João followed in his father's footsteps and played for FC Barcelona’s youth club. He played with the team for about a year before transferring to Burnley F.C. and later signing with Hull City Academy. Ronaldinho spoke about both his personal and professional life in the three-part Netflix docuseries, Ronaldinho: The One and Only, which hit the streamer on April 16.

Here is everything to know about Ronaldinho's son, João Mendes.

João was born in Brazil in 2005

Ronaldinho with son JoaoCredit: Instagram/ _mendesjoao_

On Feb. 25, 2005, Ronaldinho welcomed his son João with professional dancer Janaína. Ronaldinho met Janaína when she was a dancer on the Brazilian TV show Domingão do Faustão.

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... ❤️🤙🏾,” Ronaldinho wrote in Portuguese on Instagram.

João shares his name with Ronaldinho’s late father

Ronaldinho with his son JoaoCredit: Instagram/ Ronaldinho

João is not the first of his name in the 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. In 2017, Ronaldinho wrote about how much his father meant to him in a letter to his younger self for The Players' 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 uncleCredit: 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.

Meanwhile, João's mom Janaína not only carved out a career as a successful dancer on TV, but she is a fitness influencer, regularly posting her workouts on Instagram to her nearly 100,000 followers.

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

Ronaldinho and his son João.Credit: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira/Instagram

Soccer is often referred to as “the beautiful game” and in 2023, Ronaldinho and João got to play on the same team in an exhibition match called “The Beautiful Game” in Orlando.

The matchup saw two teams — featuring soccer legends and celebrities — captained by legendary Brazilian soccer players as Team Ronaldinho faced off against Team Roberto Carlos.

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 NikeCredit: Instagram/ ronaldinho

In 2019, João took after his father Ronaldinho in another way as he signed with Nike. 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 @nike family!!! Soccer with joy !!! 🤙🏾,” Ronaldinho wrote on Instagram at the time.

João played with Barcelona FC, just like his dad

Joao Mendes de Assis Moreira plays soccer with Barcelona FCCredit: 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.

He was also named as the best player of the 2000s, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by World Soccer. Ronaldinho will always be part of the fabric of Barcelona, but on March 2, 2023, his family became further entwined with Barcelona as João signed with the club, for their youth team.

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

João signed with Burnley in 2024 and Hull City in 2025

Ronaldinho and his son João.Credit: João Mendes de Assis Moreira/Instagram

While many expected João would stay with Barcelona after playing with the youth team, he surprised the soccer world by signing with the English soccer team Burnley F.C. in August 2024. With Burnley, he played for the Under-21 team to give himself more time to develop.

“I feel blessed to be here and I’m excited to take on this opportunity,” João told Burnley. “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.”

In September 2025, João stunned the soccer world once again when he joined the Hull City Academy championship club.

"We are delighted to announce the signing of exciting winger João Mendes to the Under-21s," the club wrote in an Instagram announcement at the time.

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Source: “AOL Sports”