Ronaldinho’s 14-year-old son Joao Mendes signs first professional contract with Brazilian club Cruzeiro
Ronaldinho’s 14-year-old son has been tipped to reach Cruzeiro’s first team after signing his first professional contract with the Brazilian club.Joao Mendes, whose dad is former Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho, plays as a centre forward or just off the striker.Ronaldinho (right) won the World Cup with Brazil in 20022
Ronaldinho (right) won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002
And there appear to be high hopes for the youngster, with Cruzeiro’s director of grassroots football Amarildo Roberio claiming Mendes has ‘high technical quality’, versatility, pace and deadly finishing.Roberio told the club’s website: “Today, we signed the contract of Joao Mendes, who is a promising player with interesting characteristics and who, I believe, will soon be integrating with our professional team.“He is a tall player with high technical quality. A player who can play both as a box player and as a second striker. He is a player who, even with his size, has speed and finishes very well.” Mendes has been with Cruzeiro for a year. but on signing his pro deal he said: “It was the team that opened the door for me. I have a great affection for the club.“The training is very good, the structure is very good. It’s the biggest club in Brazil and it’s a pleasure to play here.“It’s a very happy day. Thanks to the board for the confidence you have given to me. I also thank God for me being able to play every day.“It is a dream that one day I can sign the professional contact with Cruzeiro, play professionally, score a goal in the crowded Mineirao and dedicate it to the fans.”Mendes said it is a pleasure to play for CruzeiroCruzeiro YouTube2
Mendes said it is a pleasure to play for Cruzeiro
It is understood Mendes did not say he was Ronaldinho’s son when he first joined the club in a bid to impress on his own merits.Ronaldinho had a glittering career – winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and playing for big clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan.
Giroud completed his hat-trick with a glancing header just before the hour

West Ham fans were not impressed with the atmosphere at Tottenham's new stadium when they experienced it for the first time on Saturday. Michail Antonio's fierce second-half volley saw West
West Ham fans mock the atmosphere at Tottenham's new stadium
Steven Gerrard after England were knocked out of the 2010 World Cup

Barcelona news: Ousmane Dembele responds to Arsenal transfer rumours OUSEMANE DEMBELE has responded to rumours that he could leave Barcelona at the end of the season. Liverpool star Virgil van
Arsenal transfer news: Five wingers Gunners could sign in
Timothy Weah could be heading for Glasgow

Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to win the European Cup for the sixth time in the club's history. Mohamed Salah converted an early penalty in Madrid before Divock Origi came off the bench to seal an historic victory
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Who should Jurgen Klopp pick for
Fred has failed to nail down a regular starting place at Manchester United

Pick your Tottenham team to play Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund are facing an injury crisis ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Tottenham as up to nine
Tottenham 3 Borussia Dortmund 1: Harry Kane shows his class
Bennett (left) and his team-mates took a selfie at the stadium before kick-off
Jamie Carragher mocks Gary Neville's choice of players in his
Aguero’s goal had the contest all but finished after just 27 minutes

Dean Saunders was simultaneously hailed as a legend and blasted for losing the plot on Tuesday morning after he told talkSPORT: 'Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea'. The former Villans striker made the bold claim on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast , insisting that if you look back through football's history books, it's clear to
'Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea' - Dean Saunders
newsleak24.com/aston-villa-are-a-bigger-club-than-chelsea-dean-saunders-angers-blues-fans-on-talksport/
'Aston Villa are a bigger club than Chelsea' - Dean Saunders angers Blues fans on talkSPORT; Stanley Cup Finals: Blues Navigate a Messy Thriller and Defeat the Bruins; Transfer news LIVE: Man United move ahead of Premier League rivals in James Maddison pursuit, Spurs star admits future is uncertain
~ Chelsea news: 'Aston Villa are miles behind,' says Tony
Fabinho was Liverpool’s first signing of the summer which saw them spend over 170m

In-form Burnley boosted their Premier League survival hopes after Chris Wood's double set them on course for a 3-1 win at Brighton. Sean Dyche's Clarets had slipped into the relegation zone
Chris Wood double pulls Burnley out of relegation zone with
Davids decided to take over Barnet as a player-manager

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton predictions: Everton line-up After a convincing 2-0 victory against Burnley last weekend, Everton travel to North London to take on a Tottenham side high on confidence
Match Preview - Cardiff vs Everton | 26 Feb 2019
Godin heads in the equaliser against Barcelona in May 2014 on a day Atletico Madrid won LaLiga
Tottenham Hotspur news: Dele Alli posts image of bottle being
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take charge of Manchester United until the end of the season

'We'll sit down and see': Maurizio Sarri uncertain on Chelsea future despite winning Europa League final. Maurizio Sarri is expected to leave Chelsea and take over at Juventus
Maurizio Sarri wants to take Gonzalo Higuain and Emerson with
Paul Pogba remained on the bench for Man United’s defeat to Liverpool

Top goalscorers in Europe: Which strikers are over/under performing their expected goals, including Messi, Kane, Salah, and Ronaldo Some superstars exceed their xG while others aren't getting
Top goalscorers in Europe: Which strikers are over/under
White Hart Lane now The redeveloped ground is finally open for business after months of delays. It has won rave reviews from all who attended the first test event, while its first official Premier League game is against Crystal Palace on 3 April. Paul Coyte, who is the stadium announcer, was there for the initial test event and told talkSPORT: [Mauricio Pochettino] absolutely loves the new ground. He is seriously excited he loves it! His face had a look of sheer pride, adding that chairman Daniel Levy is redifining the way you watch football.

red joy The England international has been given the green light to return after almost 11 months on the sidelines Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is to return from injury this week after almost 11 months out of action.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain return as it happened - Liverpool