106 Facts About Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli reunited with Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini at Manchester City in 2010, helping them win a Premier League title and FA Cup.

Mario Balotelli moved back to Italy in January 2013, signing for Inter's rival club, AC Milan, before returning to the Premier League with Liverpool 18 months later.

Mario Balotelli returned to Italy a third time, joining Serie A club Brescia in summer 2019, and Serie B club Monza in late 2020.

Mario Balotelli earned his first cap for Italy in a friendly match against the Ivory Coast in 2010.

Mario Balotelli amassed over 30 caps and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2012, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Mario Balotelli helped the national side reach the final of Euro 2012, scoring twice against Germany in the semi-finals, and won bronze at the Confederations Cup.

Mario Balotelli is Italy's joint-top scorer in the UEFA European Championship, and joint-top scorer in the Confederations Cup.

Mario Balotelli later was permanently fostered by the Balotellis full-time and adopted their surname.

Mario Balotelli had to wait until his 18th birthday to request Italian citizenship, as his foster family had not adopted him.

Mario Balotelli officially gained citizenship in Concesio on 13 August 2008.

Mario Balotelli has three biological siblings: Abigail, Enoch and Angel Barwuah.

Enoch Barwuah, two years younger than Mario Balotelli, is a professional footballer.

Mario Balotelli began his career at local side Lumezzane, twenty minutes from the Mario Balotelli residence in Concesio.

On 8 November 2007, as part of Sheffield FC's 150th anniversary celebrations, Mario Balotelli featured in a friendly between the two sides at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane.

When he was elbowed by Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo in the shoulder, Mario Balotelli fell theatrically onto the pitch, for which he was booked, while Melo was sent off for a second yellow card.

Mario Balotelli released a statement of apology in Inter's official website that read:.

Mario Balotelli again caused controversy in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on 20 April 2010 when he threw his shirt on the ground after the final whistle in response to Inter fans who had booed him for his poor performance.

Mario Balotelli admitted three years later the incident was the only regret in his life.

Mario Balotelli is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him.

On 21 December 2010, Mario Balotelli won the Golden Boy Award, saying only one of the past winners was slightly better than he was: Lionel Messi.

Mario Balotelli claimed not to know of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, the player he narrowly beat to the award.

Mario Balotelli followed this up with the opening goal against Everton three days later.

Mario Balotelli scored on a penalty shot near the end of the first half, his first Champions League goal for City and his seventh goal overall in the season.

On 22 January 2012, Mario Balotelli came on as a substitute during a match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Mario Balotelli appeared to stamp on Scott Parker during the match against Tottenham, but, already booked, did not receive a second yellow from referee Howard Webb, who did not see the incident.

Mario Balotelli was charged for violent conduct for the kick against Scott Parker and was suspended for four matches, three for violent conduct and one for his second sending off.

However, Mario Balotelli was criticized for his actions in the match after squabbling with Aleksandar Kolarov over a free kick.

Mario Balotelli provided the assist to striker Sergio Aguero, who scored in the 94th minute to give City their first league title since 1968.

In December 2012, Mario Balotelli decided to fight against Manchester City's decision to fine him two weeks' wages for his poor disciplinary record the previous season by taking his club to a Premier League tribunal.

Mario Balotelli missed 11 matches domestically and in Europe last season because of suspensions.

Manchester City's then manager Roberto Mancini suggested he had sanctioned Balotelli's sale to Milan for the good of the player, describing the forward as "like another one of my children" and saying Balotelli could become one of the best players in the world when restored to Serie A On 31 January 2013, the Serie A giants completed the signing, and Balotelli was awarded the number 45 shirt, the same number he wore for Inter Milan and Manchester City.

Mario Balotelli's arrival saw some fans scuffling with police and one policeman was taken to hospital with head injuries.

Mario Balotelli then scored four goals in three consecutive matches: one against Catania, one against Torino and two against Pescara.

On 22 September 2013, Mario Balotelli missed a penalty in a competitive match for the first time in 22 attempts as a professional.

Mario Balotelli scored just 4 goals in 28 appearances and at season's end and was adjudged by many to be among the worst signings of the season.

On 27 August 2015, Mario Balotelli returned to Milan on season-long loan deal.

Mario Balotelli returned to Liverpool in the middle of 2016, but with no future under new manager Jurgen Klopp, who chose not to include him on Liverpool's pre-season tour to the United States or any of the club's other friendlies.

On 31 August 2016, the deadline day for the summer transfer window, it was announced Mario Balotelli had joined Nice of the French Ligue 1 on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal.

Mario Balotelli received the straight red card in the second half for insulting referee Tony Chapron in English.

On 25 June 2017, Mario Balotelli signed a one-year contract extension with Nice.

Mario Balotelli finished the season with a career-high 18 league goals and a further 8 goals across all other competitions.

When it comes to Mario Balotelli, I want to answer back, or just slam him up against the wall or leave him hanging by his collar on the coat rack, but I can't, as I'm no longer a player.

On 20 August 2018, Mario Balotelli re-signed with Nice on a third consecutive one-year contract after a move to rivals Marseille fell through earlier in the summer.

In spite of penning a new deal with the Cote d'Azur club, Mario Balotelli appeared late and out-of-shape for pre-season training, and did not play the first three league matches due to a court suspension.

Mario Balotelli's struggling form at the start of the season, as well as his growing conflict with the new coach Patrick Vieira, saw Balotelli left out of the first-team squad after making only 10 league appearances.

On 23 January 2019, Mario Balotelli terminated his contract with Nice and signed a contract until the end of the season with Marseille.

Mario Balotelli celebrated the goal by creating an Instagram story on the pitch from his cell phone.

On 18 August 2019, Mario Balotelli signed a "multi-year contract" with his hometown club Brescia on a free transfer.

Mario Balotelli was unable to play prior to this due to a four-match suspension he received while at Marseille for a rash challenge against Montpellier.

On 3 November 2019, Mario Balotelli was subjected to racist chants by some of the Hellas Verona fans, prompting him to pick up the ball in the 54th minute and kick it into the crowd.

Mario Balotelli started to walk off as the match was suspended for several minutes, but he was persuaded by players of both sides to stay on the pitch.

In November 2020, Mario Balotelli trained with Serie D side Franciacorta while being a free agent.

On 7 December 2020, Mario Balotelli moved to Serie B side Monza on a seven-month contract, reuniting with former Milan teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng, head coach Cristian Brocchi, club owner Silvio Berlusconi, and chairman Adriano Galliani.

On 1 May 2021, after being on the sidelines for almost a month, Mario Balotelli scored a brace against Salernitana.

Mario Balotelli came on in the 80th minute and scored on his first touch of the game after less than one minute, and doubled his tally in the first minute of added time.

On 7 July 2021, Mario Balotelli joined newly promoted Super Lig club Adana Demirspor.

On 31 August 2022, Mario Balotelli signed a two-year contract for Swiss Super League club Sion.

On 15 September 2023, Mario Balotelli returned to Adana Demirspor, signing a one-year contract with an option for a further year.

On 28 October 2024, Mario Balotelli signed on a deal until the end of the season for Serie A club Genoa.

Mario Balotelli was unable to answer call-ups to the Italian national under-15 and under-17 teams as he was still considered to be a Ghanaian immigrant.

On 7 August 2007, five days before his 17th birthday, Mario Balotelli received his first senior international call-up for Ghana from their coach Claude Le Roy for a friendly against Senegal at the New Den stadium in London, England, on 21 August 2007.

Mario Balotelli declined the offer, citing his willingness to play for Italy when he became eligible.

Mario Balotelli expressed his willingness to represent Italy at international level once he acquired an Italian passport.

On 13 August 2008, Mario Balotelli was finally issued Italian citizenship.

Mario Balotelli was named in the final 23-man squad for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championships and scored the opening goal against the hosts Sweden in the 23rd minute.

On 10 August 2010, Mario Balotelli made his first appearance for the Italy senior team, as part of the squad announced by new head coach Cesare Prandelli, in a friendly match against the Ivory Coast, Italy's first match after the 2010 World Cup.

Mario Balotelli spoke about his increasing fears that black players would be targeted by racists and that he refused to accept racism in any form, talking of his past experience of racism in football, notably during his time playing in Serie A for Inter Milan.

Mario Balotelli's replacement was Antonio Di Natale, who managed to secure his 11th international goal and put Italy ahead within his time on the pitch.

Mario Balotelli went on to start against England in the quarter-finals.

Mario Balotelli's performance was described as "wasteful", but his effort was rated highly in a match where he missed multiple chances.

Mario Balotelli scored the first penalty taken in the shootout against his Manchester City teammate Joe Hart.

Mario Balotelli said he was unfazed by the pressure he supposedly had on his shoulders entering the final, with new high expectations of him from his home supporters after his amazing performance against Germany.

On 21 March 2013, Mario Balotelli scored a long-range equaliser in a friendly match against Brazil at the Stade de Geneve.

On 10 September 2013, Mario Balotelli scored the winning goal in a World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic in Turin which allowed Italy to clinch the first place spot in their qualifying group and ultimately achieve their objective of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Mario Balotelli finished the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign as Italy's top scorer with five goals.

Mario Balotelli was the top scorer of his qualifying group, helping Italy to win their group undefeated.

On 3 June 2013, Mario Balotelli was named in Italy's squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

On 1 June 2014, Mario Balotelli was selected in Italy's squad for the 2014 World Cup.

Under Italy's new manager Antonio Conte, Mario Balotelli only received one call-up in November 2014 but was unable to make a single appearance for Italy due to injury.

However, Mario Balotelli was officially omitted from the squad on 17 March 2018.

On 19 May 2018, Mario Balotelli was called up for the first time since November 2014 by newly appointed manager Roberto Mancini for Italy's May and June 2018 friendlies.

On 28 May, Mario Balotelli made his first appearance for the national team since the 2014 World Cup, starting in the match against Saudi Arabia and scoring the opener in the 20th minute.

Mario Balotelli dedicated his goal to former Italy teammate Davide Astori, who died earlier in the year.

On 24 January 2022, after a four-year international absence, Mario Balotelli was called up by Italy manager Roberto Mancini to join the Azzurri for a three-day training camp in Coverciano.

Agile, quick, creative and powerful, Mario Balotelli is credited with pace, flair, physical strength, technical ability and an eye for goal.

Mario Balotelli has been accused of diving, and is thus regarded by teammates and the media as a promising but undisciplined player.

Mario Balotelli missed his first competitive penalty against Napoli on 22 September 2013 when it was saved by Pepe Reina, the first time in 22 attempts as a professional.

Mario Balotelli got a yellow card in the 42nd [20th] minute, so when I got to the dressing room at half-time I spend about 14 minutes of the 15 available speaking only to Mario Balotelli.

Mario Balotelli has been given a reputation by the media for being a difficult character and taking part in questionable and often amusing activities.

Mario Balotelli was once described by Jose Mourinho as "unmanageable".

Mario Balotelli was the subject of numerous newspaper stories after joining Manchester City, some based in fact, others the subject of rumour and speculation.

Video footage before Manchester City's UEFA Europa League match with Dynamo Kyiv in March 2011 showed Mario Balotelli requiring assistance to put on a training ground bib, an incident which teammate Edin Dzeko was seen mimicking the following week in the warm up before City's match at Chelsea.

In September 2011, Mario Balotelli was reportedly seen using his iPad while on the substitutes' bench for Italy during their match with the Faroe Islands, although he denied this on a visit to a prison later that week.

Later that week, Mario Balotelli was unveiled as Greater Manchester's ambassador for firework safety.

In December 2011, Mario Balotelli broke a 48-hour curfew before Manchester City's match against Chelsea to go to a curry house, although he "was not drinking alcohol, signed autographs, posed for pictures with fellow diners and was involved in a mock sword-fight using rolling pins".

In March 2012, when Inter Milan held a press conference for their new manager Andrea Stramaccioni, Mario Balotelli gatecrashed the event.

In December 2012, Mario Balotelli was due to take Manchester City to a Premier League tribunal to protest against a fine of two weeks' wages over his poor disciplinary record, but eventually dropped his application a day before the hearing.

On 1 December 2014, Balotelli was accused of racism and antisemitism for posting an image on Instagram of the video game character Mario.

Mario Balotelli's sister is married to the Nigerian footballer Obafemi Martins, and their son Kevin Martins is a professional footballer in Italy.

In 2012, Mario Balotelli featured in GQ, where he was named the second-best dressed man in the world behind British musician Tinie Tempah.

Mario Balotelli appeared on the cover of the November 2012 edition of Time magazine.

Mario Balotelli is a fan of mixed martial arts and has said in the past he would love to compete in the sport professionally if he were not a footballer.

Later in December 2012, Fico accused Mario Balotelli of being "irresponsible" and "not interested" in her newborn daughter.

In February 2014, Mario Balotelli finally acknowledged paternity of his daughter Pia following a positive DNA test.

Mario Balotelli was romantically involved with Fanny Neguesha in 2013 and 2014, becoming engaged at some point.

On 28 September 2017, Mario Balotelli fathered a second child, a son named Lion, born to an unidentified woman.