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Joao Mendes (left) spent time in Barcelona's academy, the club who his father Ronaldinho won the Champions League with in 2006 Hull City academy winger Joao Mendes has said he does not feel extra pressure because he is the son of Brazil legend Ronaldinho. The 20-year-old joined the Tigers on a one-year deal in September after spending last season in Burnley's youth set-up. His father won the 2002 World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or in a career that saw him play for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan. "I don't feel any pressure. I've always had it clear in my mind that I'm me and he's him, " he told BBC Radio Humberside. "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. " He added: "All my family always say to me it is just noise and I don't need to listen to any of it. I just need to be happy playing football. " The Brazilian, who spent time in Barcelona's La Masia academy before making the move to England in August 2024, said he was "proud" to be Ronaldinho's son and had invited him to Hull. He said he did not spend much time with his father when he was growing up because of his career, which also saw the forward play for five clubs in his native Brazil. Mendes is now looking to build up his game-time with Hull's Under-21s, having joined the club after missing pre-season. "I'm just working hard to earn my spot. The main objective is to make it to the first team, " he said. "The fitness level wasn't there when I joined so I'm working on that. The coaches understand and help me a lot. " This video can not be played Mendes: 'I’m me, there’s no pressure at all' Latest Hull City news, analysis and fan views Listen to Hull City content on BBC Sounds Wolves appoint ex-defender Edwards as manager 'We want a Grand Slam, England want our scalp' Stokes defends England criticism from 'has-beens' The gang who stole over £50 million from taxpayers Could AI bring about the end of humanity? The remarkable story of an everlasting Hollywood icon The hunt for Russia’s billion-dollar hacking gang 'VAR has to rein its neck in' - how I'd change football for the fans 'Don't feel sorry for Eubank' - Bellew backs Benn Robertson row shows the problems VAR can never fix Reinventing Football - five things fans would change 'Sea legs meant I couldn't bowl' - when England travelled to Australia by boat Reinventing Football - what do we do with handball, penalties and VAR? In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week What would pundits change about football? Video What would pundits change about football? 'I just want a dad' - how the Eubanks saved their relationship Piastri's penalty and Hamilton's future - F1 Q&A The final frontier: Why has Root never made a century down under? Can you name every player dismissed by Flintoff in an Ashes Test? 'Champion's weekend from flawless Norris but Verstappen shines brightest' Valuable lessons and tough losses - world number one Sabalenka's 2025 Baffling? Distracting? The fallout from Earps' book Sitting Down With Mary Earps - the full interview. Video Sitting Down With Mary Earps - the full interview Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.