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Ronaldinho's son leaves Burnley to join Championship side
Tom Weber
- Updated: 9 Sept 2025 15:17 BST
- 4 min read
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Joao Mendes, the son of Brazil legend Ronaldinho, has joined Hull City after leaving Burnley.
The 20-year-old caused a stir last season when he turned up on English shores by completing a shock move to then-Championship side Burnley after leaving Barcelona's La Masia academy.
The motivation to forge his own path rather than to step in the footprints of his famous father led him to leave the Blaugrana in favour of an adventure in England.
However, his stint at Burnley already ended earlier this summer despite penning a two-year deal in 2024. Free to choose his next club, Mendes has now been snapped up by Hull City, according to HullLive.
The youngster is set to join the Tigers' U21 set-up at Bishop Burton College, with the report calling the acquisition of Mendes 'quite a coup' for the Championship club.
Mendes: I try to do my own thing
The 20-year-old winger previously admitted that being the son of one of football's most recognisable figures comes with plenty of expectations, which is why he is not seeking to emulate Ronaldinho and instead wants to do his 'own thing.'
“I want to be Joao, regardless of anything," Mendes told ESPN earlier this year. “I never tried to be my father, I never wanted to be my father. So, to get away a bit from where he played [Barcelona] and what's close, I think it was a good start and a good step for me.
“I think people on the outside want you to be something you're never going to be, whether you like it or not, right? It's good to be here.
"My father and mother never really wanted me to pursue [football] because they already knew what was going to happen. But when passion speaks louder, you can't help it.
"It's a fine line, because there are people who cross it, there are people who don't, but I've always been proud to be the son of who I am.
"My father was one of the best, if not the best, to ever play the game. So, being his son, being able to talk about him, is a source of pride. And I try to do my own thing, I try not to put my father in the middle of things, I try to play my football my way, without pressure."
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