It turns out the Ronaldinho family name is still showing up on score sheets.
The former Brazil star and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year is the father of one son, João Mendes, who was born in February 2005. João, whom Ronaldinho welcomed with professional dancer Janaína Mendes, is now pursuing a soccer career of his own and signed with Hull City Academy in September 2025.
Ronaldinho retired in 2018 after a career that included helping Brazil win the 2002 World Cup and starring for Barcelona FC. Since then, he has publicly backed João as his son moved through youth soccer in Spain and England.
João was born on Feb. 25, 2005, in Rio De Janeiro. Ronaldinho met Janaína when she was a dancer on the Brazilian TV show Domingão do Faustão.
When João turned 18 in 2023, Ronaldinho marked the occasion with an Instagram post featuring photos of them together. “My big partner’s day!!! Happy birthday my son… ❤️🤙🏾,” Ronaldinho wrote in Portuguese on Instagram.
João also carries a family name with deep meaning for Ronaldinho. He shares his name with Ronaldinho’s father, João de Assis Moreira, who died in a swimming accident at their home when Ronaldinho was 8.
In a 2017 letter to his younger self for The Players’ Tribune, Ronaldinho wrote about his father’s love of the game. “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.
João comes from an athletic family. His uncle, Roberto de Assis Moreira, better known as Assis, played soccer for Grêmio and Sion FC in Switzerland. Assis also worked as Ronaldinho’s agent and has been involved in João’s career. João’s mother Janaína, who worked as a TV dancer, is also a fitness influencer who posts workouts on Instagram.
In 2023, Ronaldinho and João played on the same side in an exhibition match called “The Beautiful Game” in Orlando. The game featured teams of soccer legends and celebrities, with Team Ronaldinho facing Team Roberto Carlos. The match ended early after 55 minutes because of weather and fans invading the field, but Ronaldinho and João’s team was leading 4-3 when play stopped.
João hit another milestone in 2019 when he signed with Nike. Ronaldinho, who first signed with the brand in 2003, and Janaína were both there for the moment. “Newest member of the @nike family!!! Soccer with joy !!! 🤙🏾,” Ronaldinho wrote on Instagram at the time.
Like his father, João also spent time at Barcelona. Ronaldinho’s career there included two La Liga titles, two Spanish Supercups and a Champions League trophy. On March 2, 2023, João signed for Barcelona’s youth team.
Ronaldinho welcomed the move in comments to Spanish radio station RAC-1, according to Marca. “Yes, he [João] is coming [to Barcelona] now,” Ronaldinho said. “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 later moved on from Barcelona. In August 2024, he signed with Burnley F.C. and joined the club’s Under-21 team.
“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.”
He added: “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. I’m a technical and fast player and my main [goal] is helping the team win games.”
In September 2025, João signed with Hull City Academy. “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.
