Balotelli is – again – eyeing a new challenge
Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is close to joining a new club after becoming a free agent earlier in the year.
After leaving Liverpool (initially on loan) in 2015, Balotelli had played for AC Milan, Nice and Marseille before returning to his home city club Brescia at the start of last season. It was hoped the (former?) Italian international’s homecoming might bring an end to this nomadic spell, but the 30-year-old departed the club after failing to return to training after the coronavirus lockdown.
Where he goes next is still a little unclear. A reported move to Genoa now appears to have collapsed and despite being linked with a move to Major League Soccer, Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola insisted last month that his client would remain in Europe.
What is clear is that, according to Goal, he seems to under the impression he’ll be back playing in the very near future. His brother, Enock, is currently taking part in the Italian equivalent of Big Brother. Speaking to him via video link, Balotelli was asked if he had a new club. “I still don’t play, in a few weeks I’ll sign, don’t worry,” he replied.
It’s ten years since Balotelli first appeared in English football. Despite interest from Manchester United, the then-20-year-old signed for Manchester City from Inter Milan. Under Roberto Mancini, he played a key role in the club’s first ever Premier League win, famously laying on the assist for Sergio Aguero to score his last-gasp title-clinching goal agains QPR.
Balotelli was sold to AC Milan months later, returning to England for a second but ultimately unsuccessful spell at Liverpool in 2014.
