Ronaldinho’s son could take career opportunity his father missed out on – but transfer rule could scupper it

Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes has signed for Burnley but could move again.

The Brazilian joined the Championship side earlier this month after leaving Barcelona on a short-term deal.

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However, according to The Sun, the 19-year-old could soon move to the Scottish Premiership.

His father did not dare to take this step during his outstanding career, although he came close to it.

Ronaldinho was poached from St Mirren in 2001 before moving from Gremio to Paris Saint-Germain for £15 million.

The Saints were looking to sign a striker on a short-term deal and were trying to loan him out before his registration was exchanged – a possibility due to the end of the Brazilian league season.

But ultimately, “sensitive legal issues” prevented the move.

Now his son could end up in the Scottish top flight as Burnley consider loaning out some of their young talent.

Clarets boss Scott Parker describes him as a “development player and project” and could play regularly on the other side of the border.

This is with Dundee, a partner club of Burnley, which was relegated from the Premier League last season.

However, there is a possibility that Mendes’ move, like his father, will fail due to bureaucracy.

Like all clubs, Burnley is only allowed to loan six players abroad, so the transfer is in jeopardy if other stars have to move abroad at short notice.

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Due to a similar regulation, Tottenham was forced to terminate Matt Doherty’s contract in 2023.

The right-back had been replaced by Pedro Porro and was allowed to leave the club, but the club had already loaned out eight players – a new FIFA rule at the time.

With Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil, Joe Rodon, Sergio Reguilon, Giovani lo Celso, Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence all having to leave north London, Spurs were forced to terminate Doherty’s contract to allow him to move to Atletico Madrid.

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