'We wanted him back for more than 10 years but, every time we tried, the courts blocked it and as the years passed he became colder towards us. [258], Balotelli celebrated his goal against Manchester United in October 2011 by unveiling a shirt with the words, "Why always me?" [67], —Roberto Mancini, Balotelli's manager at Inter Milan and Manchester City in October 2011[68], Balotelli scored his first goal of the 2011–12 campaign in a 2–0 League Cup win against Birmingham City. [193] On 10 September 2013, 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. He 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. [204] After the match, Balotelli said playing in the World Cup for the first time was "a wonderful sensation to experience" and dedicated the goal to his "future wife" Fanny Neguesha, whom he ultimately did not marry. The best birthday present I could receive now would be a call to join the Italy squad, although I'd be happy to play for the Under 21 team. [237] 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. He knows there is little chance of change now. [208][121], After Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Balotelli was expected to be called up by caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio[209][210] for Italy's March 2018 friendlies, after the replacement of Gian Piero Ventura. However, Balotelli was officially omitted from the squad on 17 March 2018. [164], 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. [10][12] His foster parents are Silvia, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors,[13] and Francesco Balotelli. [26] He made his first team and Serie A debut on 16 December 2007, replacing David Suazo in a 2–0 win against Cagliari. 'Mario had spent hours playing football in the rain,' said Mr Barwuah. [107] Balotelli scored his first Liverpool goal on 16 September, opening a 2–1 Anfield victory against Ludogorets Razgrad in the group stage of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League. [162], On 7 December 2020, Balotelli moved to Serie B side Monza on a seven-month contract,[163] reuniting with former Milan teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng, head coach Cristian Brocchi, club owner Silvio Berlusconi, and chairman Adriano Galliani. Mario has three biological siblings: Abigail, Enoch and Angel Barwuah. [201] Italy finished the tournament in third place after defeating Uruguay in a play-off. [174] In that match he started alongside debutant Amauri and striker Antonio Cassano in a 1–0 loss. I suoi genitori, Thomas e Rose Barwuah, diedero in affidamento Super Mario alla famiglia … He started his professional football career at Lumezzane and played for the first team twice before having an unsuccessful trial at Barcelona,[5] and subsequently joining Inter Milan in 2007. Abigail Barwuah è la sorella naturale di Mario Balotelli ed Enock Barwua. Balotelli was never officially adopted but made a conscious decision to turn his back on his Ghanaian heritage. Thomas e Rose Barwuah arrivano in Italia nel 1988, precisamente a Palermo; quando nasce Mario Balotelli, la loro famiglia si trovava già in gravi difficoltà economiche. [49] He admitted three years later the incident was the only regret in his life. Il nuovo arrivato, inoltre, non godeva di buona salute e per potergli garantire le giuste cure, la coppia ha dovuto, a malincuore, affidarlo ad una famiglia in adozione. I just want us to be how we were. Mario Balotelli es un futbolista que nació el 12 de agosto de 1990 en una familia de inmigrantes, que pusieron rumbo a Italia para buscar una mejor vida.Aunque en un inicio, Mario nació con otro apellido, Barwuah, al ser adoptado por una familia rica italiana pasó a tener el apellido Balotelli. It was also in 2008 that Balotelli claimed during a television interview that his birth parents had abandoned him in a hospital. He has taken the surname of his adopted family, Balotelli. Oltre al fuoriclasse, ha anche due sorelle: Abigail e Angel.. But the strain on his face is obvious when he says Balotelli has only invited him to one Inter match in four years, the 2-1 Champions League win over Chelsea in February. He officially gained citizenship in Concesio on 13 August 2008. And he can change his behaviour in the future. The family moved to Lombardy when Mario was 2 years old. [171] In his debut on 5 September 2008, he scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw with Greece. [152] On 30 March, he became the first player since Josip Skoblar in the late 1960s to score in each of his first five home games for Marseille in Ligue 1. Balotelli scored the opening two goals and forced the dismissal of Jonny Evans as City defeated Manchester United 6–1 at Old Trafford on 23 October in what would prove to be a decisive game in helping win Manchester City the Premier League title. I've finished my words for him. [153], On 18 August 2019, Balotelli signed a "multi-year contract" with his hometown club Brescia on a free transfer. Roberto Mancini claimed after the match he had considered substituting Balotelli just five minutes into the match. [80][217][231][232][233] Balotelli has also been accused of diving,[234] and is thus regarded by teammates and the media as a promising but undisciplined player. [128][129] On 2 October, Balotelli scored the winning goal in the 86th minute by sending a powerful kick from the edge of the box into the top right corner as Nice defeated Lorient 2–1 in a home Ligue 1 match, during which he received a yellow card for taking off his shirt in celebration of his goal and was subsequently sent off minutes later in stoppage time after receiving a second, controversial yellow card following an altercation with Lorient's Steven Moreira, where neither player appeared to do anything wrong. He started to walk off as the match was suspended for several minutes, but was persuaded by players of both sides to stay on the pitch; he later scored in the 85th minute of a 2–1 away loss. [76] He scored again the following game in a 2–0 win against Bolton Wanderers. [200] Prior to the semi-final, Balotelli suffered a thigh injury that prevented him from playing in the remainder of the tournament. But the prodigiously talented youngster could sometimes irritate Salvioni. Life was hard, to say the least. [32], In November 2008, Balotelli became the youngest Inter player (at 18 years and 85 days) to score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored a goal in a 3–3 draw against Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta, beating the previous record set by Obafemi Martins (at 18 years and 145 days). In 2008, on his 18th birthday, Balotelli gained Italian citizenship and an Italian identification card — at a ceremony at Concesio's city hall to which the Barwuahs were not invited. 'Within 24 hours he was with us,' said Salvioni. Even then it was a second-hand invitation and a match in which Balotelli only played the last 32 minutes. I could write a book of 200 pages of my two years at Inter with Mario, but the book would not be a drama – it would be a comedy. At age 15, he was promoted to the first team, making his first team debut in a Serie C1 league match against Padova on 2 April 2006. Mr Barwuah — a 'poor metal worker', as he puts it — is a proud man. I think that's what has made him go to Manchester City. [214], Agile, quick, creative and powerful,[215][216] Balotelli is credited with pace, flair, physical strength, technical ability and an eye for goal. He's Mario. [273], In July 2012, Balotelli's former girlfriend Raffaella Fico claimed she was pregnant with his child,[275] while Balotelli responded by claiming he would only assume paternal responsibilities upon a positive paternity test. Within days of joining Manchester City, Balotelli was involved in a car crash. His response is passionate and exasperated. [261][262] In December 2011, 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". There are photos of him as a baby and then a toddler growing up in the Sicilian city of Palermo, kicking a football, in a suit at a family party and play-fighting with brother Enoch as Rose looks on. His behavior on the pitch brought disapproval from his teammates, with Javier Zanetti publicly saying, "Mario needs to focus on doing what he can do on the pitch, he can't allow himself to behave like this. "[251] Off-field activities involving Balotelli have included driving into a women's prison in Italy to "have a look round",[252] and throwing darts at a youth team player during a training ground "prank"[253] – all of which have been confirmed to be true. Mario Balotelli is a professional Italian player who currently plays as a striker for Serie A club Brescia and the Italy national team. [134][135] On 18 February 2017, Balotelli was sent off once again, in his 14th Ligue 1 appearance, a 1–0 win at Lorient; he received a straight red card in the second half for insulting referee Tony Chapron in English. [20] In June 2012, he dedicated his goals that put Italy in the final of the Euro 2012 football championships to his foster mother Silvia. Mario Balotelli naît à Palerme, en Sicile, le 12 août 1990 de parents ghanéens chrétiens, Thomas et Rose Barwuah. 'How can he say we just want to know him for his money? [11], Having had an unsuccessful trial with Barcelona at age 15,[5] Balotelli was signed by Inter Milan in 2006 on loan with a pre-set price of €150,000 to co-own the player. Al loro arrivo, i due si sono prima trasferiti a Palermo e poi, solo successivamente, si sono spostati in provincia di Brescia. He amassed over 30 caps and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2012, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup; he helped the national side reach the final of Euro 2012, and also won a bronze medal at the Confederations Cup. I remember one time when we went to play, *: Golden Boot award winner (when goals scored are tied), FC Internazionale Milano 2006–07 bilancio, PDF purchased from, Italy's top scorer in the FIFA Confederations Cup, 2014–15 UEFA Europa League knockout phase, 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championships, https://www.bresciacalcio.it/team/prima-squadra/170/mario-balotelli, "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil List of Players", Fédération Internationale de Football Association, "Balotelli, maravillado con Thiago desde su paso por el Barça", "Mario Balotelli & Roberto Mancini in 'training ground bust-up, "Manchester City confirm Mario Balotelli transfer to AC Milan", "Stars of UEFA EURO 2016: Gianluigi Buffon", "The improbable Jewish 'heritage' of Italy's goal-scoring eccentric", "Our man on the Italian side – Israel Culture, Ynetnews", "Italian Son of Jewish Foster Mom Leads Team Into Euro 2012 Final", "Italian soccer star raised by Jewish parents", Racism: Italian Nazis abuse Mario Balotelli, "The Last Word: Kevin-Prince Boateng isn't a hero, just a human being", "Mario Balotelli Reveals It Was His Late Father's Dream To See Him Play For Brescia", The improbable Jewish ‘heritage’ of Italy’s Ghana-born goal-scoring eccentric, "Inter's Balotelli gets Italian citizenship", "Yaya Toure convinces Balotelli to visit Ghana", "A star is born in Milan:Mario Balotelli", "Inter Milan-AS Roma: Penalty Shootout Seals Super Cup Victory For Jose Mourinho", "Cruz toglie l'Inter dai guai 3–3 con l'Anorthosis", "Inter president chides Juve fans for racist chants", "Jose Mourinho savages 'awful' Inter players", "Juventus 2–1 Internazionale: Marchisio magic seals Juve win over Inter", "Mourinho sees red as Inter lose in Turin", "I should still be manager at Chelsea, says José Mourinho", "Inter Milan captain Zanetti urges Balotelli to get head down and work", "Tapiro a Balotelli Mario indossa la maglia del Milan", "Bad-boy Balotelli scores on return as leaders Inter Milan bounce back", "Booed Balotelli throws jersey And fans try to attack him", "Manchester United join City in race to sign Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli", "Mario Balotelli to wear No.45 for Manchester City after swapping with youngster Greg Cunningham", "Mario Balotelli moves closer to Man City return", "Balotelli does not have a release clause and will not leave City, says agent", "Mario Balotelli pleads for time at Manchester City after admitting physical struggles", "Man City will appeal against Mario Balotelli's red card", "Man City 1 – 0 Dynamo Kiev (agg 1 – 2)", "Touré brings City's long wait to an end", "Balotelli as good as Messi and Ronaldo – Mancini", "Rampant Manchester City are 'frightening' says Norwich's Paul Lambert | Football", "BBC Sport – Football – Chelsea v Man City as it happened", "Mario Balotelli charged with violent conduct by FA", "Mancini nearly took Balotelli off after five minutes", "Manchester City's title hopes sunk by Mikel Arteta's late Arsenal goal", "Man City's Mario Balotelli avoids ban for Alex Song tackle", "Mario Balotelli may have played last Manchester City game – Mancini", "Mario Balotelli: Man City striker takes club to tribunal", "Mario Balotelli completes move to Milan from Manchester City", "Mario Balotelli: AC Milan agree deal to sign Manchester City striker", "Roberto Mancini 'so sad' over Mario Balotelli's Manchester City exit", "Mario Balotelli's return to Milan marred by fans clashing with police – video", "Italy's election: Scandal, fascism and football", "Mario Balotelli scores twice on Milan debut to secure win over Udinese", "Mario Balotelli scored a brilliant free-kick last night to make it 4 goals in 3 games for AC Milan", "Serie A – Balotelli on target again as Milan beat Genoa", "Milan-Catania 4–2, Pazzini salva il terzo posto – Repubblica.it", "AC Milan-Torino Preview: Rossoneri clambering for Champions League qualification", "Pescara-Milan 0–4, rossoneri ad un passo dalla Champions – Repubblica.it", "Italian soccer match stopped due to racist abuse of Milan's Balotelli", "Mario Balotelli helps rescue AC Milan Champions League place", "Mario Balotelli misses first penalty of his career as AC Milan lose to Napoli in Serie A clash at San Siro", "Balotelli's free-kick goal vs. Livorno was clocked at 109 km/h", "Mario Balotelli: Liverpool agree £16m fee for AC Milan striker", "Mario Balotelli: Liverpool complete £16m transfer", "BBC Sport – Tottenham Hotspur 0–3 Liverpool", "Mario Balotelli's shirt swap angers Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers", "Mario Balotelli: Liverpool striker banned for one game and fined", "Worst 5 Signings Of The 2014/2015 Premier League Season So Far", "20 worst Premier League signings of the 2014/15 season", "Official: Balotelli joins Milan on loan", "Mario Balotelli sets Milan on their way to a fine win against Udinese", "Mario Balotelli set to miss three months at Milan due to hernia operation", "Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo omitted from Italy's Euro 2016 squad", "Mario Balotelli calls Liverpool move the 'worst mistake' of his life", "Mario Balotelli completes move from Liverpool to Nice on free transfer", "Mario Balotelli bags double and says Liverpool was 'worst mistake of my life, "Mario Balotelli scores twice again as Nice thrash Monaco 4–0 in Ligue 1", "Match Summary, 2016–2017 UEFA Europa League Group Stage (Group I) Krasnodar vs Nice", "Watch: Mario Balotelli scores again for Nice, in Europa League loss", "Mario Balotelli red card set to be rescinded", "Mario Balotelli has red card versus Lorient rescinded, can play in next match", "Mario Balotelli sent off for kicking out as nine-man Nice are held at Bordeaux", "Mario Balotelli: Nice striker makes Bastia racist abuse claim", "Mario Balotelli suffered racial abuse in Bastia, says Nice team-mate Alassane Plea", "Mario Balotelli sent off but Nice still win to move second in Ligue 1", "Mario Balotelli given red card for Nice after 'insulting' referee", "Bastia handed three-match stadium ban for racist abuse of Mario Balotelli", "Mario Balotelli: Bastia punished after fans racially abuse Nice striker", "Mario Balotelli sanctionné par la Commission de discipline, Bastia menacé d'un retrait de point", "Ajax stayed on course to reach a Champions League play-off after earning a 1–1 draw at Nice in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie, while Celtic were held to a goalless stalemate at home by Rosenborg on Wednesday", "Mario Balotelli recalled to Italy squad for first time since 2014 World Cup", "Nice boss Patrick Vieira admits he would 'slam Mario Balotelli up against a wall' if he was still playing", "Mario Balotelli: Italian striker staying at Nice for 2018–19 season", "Balotelli & Vieira's broken relationship has become just as bad as Pogba-Mourinho", "Vieira gives Balotelli update: 'He won't renew Nice deal, can leave in January, "Balotelli explains Instagram celebration", "Balotelli Matches Impressive 50-Year-Old Record", "Barcelona and Juventus earn narrow 2–1 league victories as Mario Balotelli returns", "Mario Balotelli hits out at Verona fans after suffering racist abuse", "Brescia striker Mario Balotelli said Lazio fans should be ashamed of themselves after alleged abuse during the sides' Serie A match", "Lazio fined only €20,000 for fans' racial abuse of Mario Balotelli", "How Mario Balotelli's Brescia homecoming turned into a nightmare", "Benvenuto Mario - Associazione Calcio Monza S.p.A.", "Balo al Monza ritrova Brocchi e Boateng: che fanno oggi i giocatori del Milan '15-'16? [191] Five days later, he scored both goals as Italy defeated Malta in a World Cup qualifier, continuing his prolific scoring streak for both club and country since signing for Milan.[192]. [127] On 29 September, Balotelli scored his fifth goal in just four competitive matches for Nice when he fired home a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area in the 43rd minute after an assist from Malang Sarr in a 2016–17 UEFA Europa League Group I match against Krasnodar in an eventual 5–2 away defeat. 'He would come and visit and play with his brothers and sisters but he just didn't seem to have any time for us, his mother and father. Mario Balotelli parents name Thomas Barwuah, Rose Barwuah Mario showed an interest in sports from quite an early age. [114] On 22 September, he scored his first goal after returning to Milan on his third appearance to open the scoring in the fifth minute from a free kick at 25 yards out against Udinese in a 3–2 away win. His arrival saw some fans scuffling with police and one policeman was taken to hospital with head injuries. Mario Barwuah Balotelli (italienskt uttal: [ˈmaːrjo baloˈtɛlli]), född 12 augusti 1990 i Palermo, är en italiensk fotbollsspelare som spelar för italienska Monza. On 21 March 2013, Balotelli scored a long-range equaliser in a friendly match against Brazil at the Stade de Genève. [81] Despite this, Balotelli did make an appearance as a late substitute in the last match of the season, a title-deciding match against Queens Park Rangers. His height, elevation and physique allow him to excel in the air, and he is capable of scoring with his head or with either foot, from both inside or outside the penalty area,[217][218][219] despite being naturally right-footed. Enock Barwuah è meglio noto come Enock Balotelli perché fratello del calciatore Mario Balotelli.In realtà, lui non è stato adottato dalla stessa famiglia di Super Mario, ma i suoi fan lo chiamano erroneamente usando un altro cognome.. Balotelli began his career at Lumezzane. During the interview, Balotelli reiterated his threat to walk off the pitch if any of the opposition fans racially abused him in any way, and said that he would "kill" anyone that threw a banana at him. That is his dream. He was incredible. 's 150th anniversary celebrations, Balotelli featured in a friendly between the two sides at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane. [122], On 31 August 2016, the deadline day for the summer transfer window, it was announced Balotelli had joined Nice of the French Ligue 1 on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal. [206], Under Italy's new manager Antonio Conte, Balotelli only received one call-up in November 2014 but was unable to make a single appearance for Italy due to injury. on it, a celebration which seemingly disputes the accuracy of newspaper reports. Social workers suggested Mario should be fostered. In response to criticisms, he wrote, "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please."[267][268][269]. [272], 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. [278][279] In February 2014, Balotelli finally acknowledged paternity of his daughter Pia following a positive DNA test. [247] Manchester City supporters regularly sang a song with lyrics which made reference to his activities. [145], —Patrick Vieira, Balotelli's manager at Nice in December 2018[146], On 20 August 2018, Balotelli re-signed with Nice on a third consecutive one-year contract after a move to rivals Marseille fell through earlier in the summer. It is a transfer that everyone wanted: club, president and fans. His performance was described as "wasteful", but his effort was rated highly in a match where he missed multiple chances. [6] His departure from City and return to Italy with Milan followed several weeks later. Balotelli released a statement of apology in Inter's official website that read: I am sorry for the situation that has been created recently. Han har även spelat i det italienska landslaget. La loro storia ha toccato tutta Italia, ma ha sicuramente cambiato la vita di Mario Balotelli. [79] Balotelli was banned for three matches (one for the two yellow cards and two for the previous two red cards in the same season). Mario Balotelli Barwuah[3][4] (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmaːrjo baloˈtɛlli]; né Barwuah; born 12 August 1990) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie B club Monza and the Italy national team. [246] Balotelli gained a cult following after joining Manchester City. Italy went on to win the match 4–3, which allowed them to participate in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup for the first time in their history. [176], Before the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, Balotelli was interviewed by a newspaper about racism amongst fans in the host countries. [220] Although he normally plays in a central role as a main striker,[221][222][223] he is a versatile forward capable of playing anywhere along the front line[224][225] and has also been deployed as a winger[222][224] or as a second striker. Mr Barwuah was forced to find work away from home and shuttled back and forth every weekend on a 12-hour overnight train. Balotelli provided the assist to striker Sergio Agüero, who scored in the 94th minute to give City their first league title since 1968. The toddler has grown up into an Inter Milan striker and Champions League winner valued at around £29million. [60] Balotelli scored his first and second Premier League goals on 7 November in a 2–0 away win to West Bromwich Albion. We don't want any money. [29] His first Serie A goal then came in April 2008 in a 2–0 away win against Atalanta. After establishing himself in the side at Euro 2012, Balotelli remained the first choice striker for Italy's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The few months he was with me, I was very impressed with him.'. They proposed Francesco and Silvio Balotelli, who already had two sons and a daughter of their own. I don't want him to lose his talent. [70] On 27 November, Balotelli came on as a 65th-minute substitute against Liverpool and was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Vincitore, a livello giovanile, di un Campionato Primavera e un Torneo di Viareggio nelle file dell'Inter, nell'arco di tre stagioni in prima squadra ha conquistato tre scudetti, una Coppa Italia, una Supercoppa italiana e una Champions League. 'He has never remembered us. [53][54] At Manchester City, Balotelli reunited with his former head coach at Inter, Roberto Mancini,[55] who said, "His style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. Both of these reports turned out to be false. 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. [35] Inter won Serie A for the fourth time in a row. With doubts over his career at Inter, former coach Roberto Mancini had since moved to Manchester City and decided to give Balotelli a fresh chance at a new club. He signed for a base salary of €1.5 million before bonuses for one year, with an automatic renewal if the club avoids relegation. I was so proud when he joined Inter and I am still proud of him,' he said. He is not the same boy I knew when he was younger — always laughing and smiling. Il est footballeur international italien, évoluant au poste d’attaquant. Barely 15 minutes later, he was shown a red card for retaliating against Swedish midfielder Pontus Wernbloom. He's crazy – but I love him because he's a good guy. [108] In a match in the same competition on 22 October against Real Madrid, Balotelli was criticised by manager Brendan Rodgers for swapping shirts with opponent Pepe at half time, saying, "It's something that doesn't happen here and shouldn't happen here. [72] He put City 1–0 up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after just two minutes on 12 December, although Chelsea rallied to win 2–1. I hope, for him, he can understand that he's in a bad way for his future. [24] Enoch Barwuah, two years younger than Balotelli, is also a professional footballer. 'He spent a day training with the first team and then he was on the coach with usfor the match in Genoa. He quickly became the best footballer in his age group. [280][281], Balotelli was romantically involved with Fanny Neguesha in 2013 and 2014, becoming engaged at some point. The incident sparked an altercation between Balotelli's teammate Thiago Motta and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. But I'm finished. 'When the boys came in they were soaked but they were laughing and joking despite being wet. 'We did not leave Mario. Mr Barwuah said: 'There were complications with Mario's intestines and he was in a bad way. [259] The day before the match, Balotelli and his friends set Balotelli's house on fire when a firework was let off in it; later that week, Balotelli was unveiled as Greater Manchester's ambassador for firework safety. [277] Later in December 2012, Fico accused Balotelli of being "irresponsible" and "not interested" in her newborn daughter. He was trouble but in a good way.'. [167] He also expressed his willingness to represent Italy at international level once he acquired an Italian passport. Different worlds: Mario Balotelli's mum Rose Barwuah earns just £6 an hour He earns £120,000 a week, likes to drink vintage champagne straight from … [144], Balotelli finished the season with a career-high 18 league goals and a further 8 goals across all other competitions. In the end, he confessed he was going to play five-a-side with his friends.'. I don't speak with him every day, otherwise I would need a psychologist, but I speak with him because I don't want him to lose his quality. He first became interested in football when he was a child. Mr Barwuah picks up a picture of a three-year-old Mario holding a football. [22] After the ceremony he released the following statement: I am Italian, I feel Italian, I will forever play with the Italian national team. During the match, he was once again the subject of racist taunts from the opponent's fan base and afterwards Balotelli took to social media to condemn the attacks. Quando parlo di Mario sono un po' in soggezione, perché ho paura di sbagliare. [69] Balotelli made his UEFA Champions League debut for City on 2 November in the second leg against Villarreal. Balotelli was also subjected to tabloid rumours about him confronting a bully in a school after querying why a young Manchester City fan was not attending classes, and giving £1,000 to a homeless man on the streets of Manchester. Mario can be one of the top players in Europe. In an exclusive report, English newspaper Daily Mail reveals how Ghanaian immigrant father Thomas Barwuah lost his child Mario Barwuah, who is now called Mario Balotelli. Mario Barwuah Balotelli è nato a Palermo il 12 agosto 1990, nel quartiere di Borgo Nuovo, da Thomas e Rose Barwuah, immigrati ghanesi.