Xavi calls up Barcelona legend’s son to first-team training – report

With a number of first-team players away on national team duty, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has been forced to call up talents from the club’s youth and reserve ranks for training sessions this week.

There have been a number of new faces that have had an opportunity to train under the club legend and with the senior players not on international duty this week.

15-year-old Toni Fernandez is one such prospect who was called up to train on Wednesday and made a big impression on Xavi.

Xavi trains Ronaldinho’s son

Now, SPORT reports that apart from Toni Fernandez, there was another novelty in Wednesday’s training session.

And it was none other than Barcelona legend Ronaldinho’s son – Joao Mendes.

The 19-year-old winger signed for Barça last year after having had stints at Cruzeiro. Part of the club’s Juvenil A setup, the teenager plays in the Division de Honor.

Xavi and Ronaldinho played together for Barcelona. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

A left-footed winger who usually plays on the right, It is said that Joao Mendes does not have the magic of his father or a particularly high level, but he is a good player.

And, Xavi, after sharing the pitch with Ronaldinho at Barcelona under Frank Rijkaard, trained the Brazil legend’s son during Wednesday’s session.

While he might have had a chance to train under Xavi with the first-team players, Joao Mendes does not appear to be in contention to break into the senior setup anytime soon.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the 19-year-old, with his contract at Barça expiring at the end of the season.