Mario Balotelli (Part 3)

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1 Apr 2024

Mario Balotelli (Part 3)

Mario Balotelli signed a "multi-year contract" with his hometown club Brescia on a free transfer. The contract included a base salary of €1.5 million before bonuses for one year, with an automatic renewal clause if the club avoided relegation.
Balotelli made his debut for Brescia on 24 September 2019, in a 2–1 home league defeat against Juventus. He had been unable to play earlier due to a four-match suspension he received while at Marseille for a rash challenge against Montpellier. He scored his first goal for Brescia on 29 September in a 2–1 away loss to Napoli.

Balotelli was subjected to racist chants by some Hellas Verona fans. In response, he kicked the ball into the crowd in the 54th minute, prompting the match to be suspended for several minutes. After being persuaded by players from both teams to remain on the pitch, he went on to score in the 85th minute of the match.
Balotelli continued to face racial abuse during matches, including during a match against Lazio on 5 January 2020, where he scored Brescia's lone goal in a 1–2 defeat. Following the match, he condemned the attacks on social media. Although the Serie A found Lazio supporters guilty of racial abuse, the club received only a €20,000 fine and avoided a stadium ban.

At the end of the 2019–20 Serie A season, Brescia was relegated to Serie B, leading to the termination of Balotelli's contract as the automatic renewal option was not activated. Additionally, Balotelli's contract was terminated after he repeatedly missed training sessions in June and July 2020. In November 2020, Balotelli trained with Serie D side Franciacorta while being a free age.

Before the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine, Mario Balotelli was vocal about the issue of racism among fans in the host countries. In an interview with a newspaper, he reiterated his stance on walking off the pitch if subjected to racial abuse and expressed his refusal to tolerate racism in any form. Balotelli, drawing from his own experiences of racism in Serie A while playing for Inter Milan, spoke about his increasing concerns regarding the targeting of black players by racists.
During Euro 2012, Balotelli made history by becoming the first black player to appear for Italy in a major international tournament. However, in Italy's first match against Spain, he failed to make an impact and was substituted off during the 56th minute after missing several chances. This led to criticism from fans and critics, with calls for him to be replaced by Antonio Di Natale.

Despite initial struggles, Balotelli bounced back in subsequent matches. He scored his first goal in a major international tournament in a 2–0 victory against the Republic of Ireland. In a quarter-final match against England, he scored the first penalty in the shootout, showcasing his resilience despite missing multiple chances during the game.
In the semi-final clash against Germany, Balotelli scored two goals in Italy's 2–1 victory, including a memorable celebration where he ripped off his shirt. Although Italy was defeated by Spain in the final, Balotelli's performances throughout the tournament earned him a place in the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament. He finished as one of the joint top scorers with three goals, although the Golden Boot ultimately went to Fernando Torres.

During Italy's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Mario Balotelli maintained his position as the first-choice striker for the team.
On 21 March 2013, Balotelli demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting a long-range equalizer in a friendly match against Brazil at the Stade de Genève. Five days later, he showcased his goal-scoring ability once again by scoring both goals in Italy's victory over Malta in a World Cup qualifier. However, Balotelli also experienced disciplinary issues during the qualifying campaign. On 7 June 2013, he was sent off in a match against the Czech Republic, resulting in a 0–0 draw. Despite this setback, Balotelli bounced back and made a significant contribution to Italy's qualification for the 2014 World Cup.

Balotelli scored the winning goal in a crucial World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic in Turin. This victory secured Italy's first-place spot in their qualifying group, ensuring their qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Balotelli emerged as Italy's top scorer in the qualifying campaign, netting a total of five goals. His impressive performances played a key role in Italy's undefeated run in the qualifying group, highlighting his importance to the national team.

Mario Balotelli is recognized for his impressive combination of attributes, including agility, speed, creativity, and strength. He possesses exceptional pace, flair, technical skills, and scoring ability. Despite being naturally right-footed, he is proficient with both feet and capable of scoring from various positions on the field, whether inside or outside the penalty area. Additionally, his height and physique enable him to excel in aerial duels.
While Balotelli typically operates as a central striker, he is versatile enough to play in different attacking positions, including as a winger or second striker. His versatility adds depth to his team's attacking options.

However, Balotelli has faced criticism for his attitude, perceived immaturity, and inconsistency. Some managers, teammates, and media outlets have highlighted concerns about his work rate, mentality, and temperament on the pitch. His volatile behavior has often resulted in unnecessary bookings and disciplinary issues.
Despite these criticisms, Balotelli is renowned for his powerful shot and is considered a set-piece specialist. He has earned a reputation as one of the best penalty takers in world football, with a high success rate from the spot. While he has occasionally missed penalties, his overall proficiency remains impressive, with a strong record of converting the majority of his attempts.

Mario Balotelli has earned the nickname "Super Mario," a reference to the popular Italian video game character Mario from the Nintendo series. However, Balotelli's public image has been shaped by the media, portraying him as a complex and sometimes controversial figure.
Known for his unconventional behavior, Balotelli has been involved in various incidents that have drawn attention. In one instance, he and his friends were reported to have fired air pistols in a public square in Milan. Despite denying claims of being "crazy," Balotelli has acknowledged that he occasionally engages in peculiar actions.
Balotelli's association with certain individuals, including Mafia mobsters, has also sparked interest and speculation. However, he has garnered a devoted fan base, particularly during his time at Manchester City, where supporters celebrated him with songs and tributes.
His colorful persona has extended beyond the football field, with musician Tinchy Stryder even dedicating a song titled "Mario Balotelli" to him, reflecting his status as a cultural icon.