Mario Balotelli is an Olympien
The list of OM’s talented and fiery players to have worn the jersey is long. Now, a new name is added: Mario Balotelli. A world football star, an international of the Squadra Azzurra, a player with trophies in his cabinet. He first lifted a trophy at Inter Milan (2007-2010) with Roberto Mancini until 2008 and then José Mourinho. He won 3 Italian Scuddettos (2008, 2009, 2010), a national cup (2010) and a coveted Champions League (2010) trophy.
In 2010, Roberto Mancini - now his national team coach - recruited "Super Mario" to Manchester City. In England, Balotelli became one of the fan-favourites for the Citizens. Who could forget that Manchester Derby, an afternoon in October 2011. Balotelli slammed a brace against Manchester United en route to an epic 6-1 victory. He lifted his shirt to show "Why Always Me?" printed on his undershirt – quickly becoming a legend after his first goal.
He Lives for the Big Moment
Balotelli is also the man who gave Sergio Aguero the assist on the Premier League-winning goal in the last minute of the last matchday – City’s first championship title in 44 years, taken right out of the hands of rival Manchester United . His memorable brace in Euro 2012 over Germany pushed Italy into the final of the continental competition.
Returning to Italy in January 2013, Balotelli played a season and a half with AC Milan - scoring 30 goals in 54 games in all competitions. Balotelli faced two more complicated stints in Liverpool (2014-2015) and in Milan (Jan. 2015-June 2016). But his arrival in Nice (2016-2018) allowed him to revive his form – he scored 43 goals (66 games) in two seasons in Ligue 1, including 26 last season in all competitions. Despite not scoring this season, he was the top scorer against the French top 4 (Marseille, Monaco, Paris, Lyon) last season.
