Joao Mendes: Embracing His Identity Beyond Ronaldinho

Joao Mendes, a winger in Hull City’s academy and the son of Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho, recently shared his perspective on the pressures that may arise from being in the shadow of his famous father. Mendes, who joined Hull City on a one-year deal in September after a season with Burnley’s youth setup, maintains that he feels no additional stress due to his lineage.

At just 20 years old, Mendes acknowledges his father’s remarkable achievements, including winning the 2002 World Cup, the Champions League, and the prestigious Ballon d’Or during his illustrious career with clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan. However, Mendes emphasizes, “I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve always had it clear in my mind that I’m me and he’s him,” in a recent interview with BBC Radio Humberside.

He continued, “It’s normal that you’re going to see me as his son, but that doesn’t affect me or the way I play. I don’t care at all.” Mendes also mentioned the support of his family, who encourage him to ignore external noise and focus on enjoying his football.

Proudly acknowledging his heritage, Mendes invited Ronaldinho to visit him in Hull. However, he also shared that he didn’t spend much time with his father during his formative years due to Ronaldinho’s demanding career, which included stints with five clubs in Brazil.

As Mendes seeks to increase his playing time with Hull’s Under-21s after missing pre-season, he is committed to working hard and earning a place in the first team. “I’m just working hard to earn my spot. The main objective is to make it to the first team,” he stated. He also noted that he is focusing on improving his fitness levels, with the support of the coaching staff.