
The Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho is set to step into grandparenthood at just 45 years old.
The beautiful influencer girlfriend of Ronaldinho’s son, Joao Mendes, who joined Burnley from Barcelona last August, shared the delightful news this weekend that she is expecting their first child.
Giovanna Buscacio, 25, who lives with her boyfriend Joao, 19, in Manchester, boasts an impressive Instagram following of 130,000. She recently posted a message featuring baby and milk bottle emojis, saying: “16 weeks and counting.”
Alongside a selfie showcasing her hand on her bare belly, she shared a video of a tender moment with Joao kissing in a lift, as well as snapshots of their happy relationship alongside a sweet message in both English and Portuguese: “Mom and dad. Incomplete without you my love but we are already together.”
Joao replied with a heartfelt note: “I love you so much, my darling.”
Former Barcelona and AC Milan star Ronaldinho was seen over the weekend at a football charity event in eastern China and has not yet made a public statement on social media.
Joao, who currently plays as a right winger for Burnley U21s, is the only child of Ronaldinho.
His mother, Janaina Mendes, a former dancer, met the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year while they were both involved in the popular Brazilian TV show “Domingão do Faustão.”
Hailing from Belo Horizonte, she now calls Barcelona home, as per her Instagram profile.
At just 14, Joao Mendes secured a contract with Nike in May 2019, alongside his mother and Ronaldinho, who was the face of the brand when he clinched the world’s best player award in 2005.
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The rising star from Rio de Janeiro signed his first professional contract with Brazil’s Cruzeiro at the young age of 13 before making his way to Europe.
After trials, he joined the youth team at Barcelona. Despite showing promise in the U19 squad, he was released by the Catalan club last summer and has since joined Burnley’s U21 team.
Ronaldinho demonstrates his skills with a stunning free-kick at age 44 during an El Clasico Legends match
His current contract is valid until June 30, 2026.
Joao’s girlfriend, a stunning brunette, is the sister of actress Guillia Buscacio.
The pair has been together for over two years, and Giovanna often shares pictures on social media that showcase their new life in the UK after moving in together.
Ronaldinho, who spent his 40th birthday incarcerated in Paraguay for using a fake passport, is set to celebrate his 45th birthday on March 21.
Ronaldinho’s Career Stats

- Gremio, 1998-2001: 125 games, 58 goals
- PSG, 2001-2003: 77 games, 25 goals
- Barcelona, 2003-2008: 207 games, 94 goals
- AC Milan, 2008-2011: 95 games, 26 goals
- Flamengo, 2011-2012: 72 games, 28 goals
- Atletico Mineiro, 2012-2014: 85 games, 27 goals
- Queretaro, 2014-2015: 29 games, 8 goals
- Fluminense, 2015: 9 games, 0 goals
- Brazil, 1999-2013: 97 games, 33 goals
Trophies
- Copa Sul, Campeonato Gaucho (Gremio)
- La Liga x2, Spanish Super Cup, Champions League (Barcelona)
- Campeonato Carioca (Flamengo)
- Campeonato Mineiro, Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana (Atletico Mineiro)
- South America U17 Championship, FIFA U17 World Championship, Olympic Bronze, Copa America, Confederations Cup, World Cup (Brazil)