Mario Balotelli threatens to become his ‘rebellious 16-year-old’ self as stint at new club turns sour
MARIO BALOTELLI has threatened to bring out his inner “rebel” after being frozen out by Patrick Vieira. The notorious football bad-boy is currently playing in his native Italy for Genoa. GettyMario Balotelli is playing for Genoa in Italy[/caption] InstagramThe Italian striker has hit out on Instagram after struggling for game time[/caption] Balotelli joined the Serie A side last October after spells in Turkey and Switzerland. But he has missed the majority of the last two months nursing a broken hand. Balotelli has played just 56 minutes in total for Genoa since joining the club. His last appearance was a short cameo off the bench against Napoli in December. Balotelli claims to be match fit – but has been frozen out of the squad by Arsenal legend Vieira. The 34-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to seemingly voice his frustration with a cryptic post. Standing shirtless in the Genoa dressing room, Balotelli wrote: “Around here they deserve the rebellious 16-year-old Mario. “Maybe that way they would understand what it means to truly lack respect.” BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Balotelli was renowned for his hell-raising antics early in his career. He infamously let off fireworks in his flat while playing for Manchester City. The wild child also fought with teammates and threw darts at a youth team star. Various City managers felt they could tame the talented Italian forward. But since leaving the North West in 2013, he has rocked up at nine different clubs. Mario Balotelli's career in numbers THE Italian had the world at his feet when he arrived at Manchester City back in 2010. Club career 2005-2006 Lumezzane – 2 appearances, 0 goals 2007-2010: Inter Milan – 86 appearances, 28 goals 2010-2013: Man City – 80 appearances, 30 goals 2012-2014: AC Milan – 54 appearances, 30 goals 2014-2015: Liverpool – 28 appearances, 4 goals 2015-2016: AC Milan (loan) – 23 appearances, 3 goals 2016-2019: Nice – 76 appearances, 43 goals 2018-2019: Marseille – 15 appearances, 8 goals 2019-2020: Brescia – 19 appearances, 5 goals 2020-2021: Monza – 14 appearances, 6 goals 2021-2023: Adana Demirspor – 35 appearances, 19 goals 2022-2023: Sion – 19 appearances, 6 goals 2023-2024: Adana Demispor – 16 appearances, 7 goals 2024-present: Genoa – 6 appearances, 0 goals International career 2008-2010: Italy under-21 – 18 appearances, 7 goals 2010-2018: Italy – 36 appearances, 14 goals Balotelli was approached last November by Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino, signing on the back of a positive meeting. But Gilardino left the club just weeks after Balotelli’s arrival, with Vieira put in charge. Balotelli signed a one-year deal with Genoa but is yet to find the net. It’s now over a year since he last netted in a game. Balotelli last found the net for Adana Demirspor against Turkish giants Fenerbahce in April 2024.
MARIO BALOTELLI has threatened to bring out his inner “rebel” after being frozen out by Patrick Vieira.
The notorious football bad-boy is currently playing in his native Italy for Genoa.
Balotelli joined the Serie A side last October after spells in Turkey and Switzerland.
But he has missed the majority of the last two months nursing a broken hand.
Balotelli has played just 56 minutes in total for Genoa since joining the club.
His last appearance was a short cameo off the bench against Napoli in December.
Balotelli claims to be match fit – but has been frozen out of the squad by Arsenal legend Vieira.
The 34-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to seemingly voice his frustration with a cryptic post.
Standing shirtless in the Genoa dressing room, Balotelli wrote: “Around here they deserve the rebellious 16-year-old Mario.
“Maybe that way they would understand what it means to truly lack respect.”
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Balotelli was renowned for his hell-raising antics early in his career.
He infamously let off fireworks in his flat while playing for Manchester City.
The wild child also fought with teammates and threw darts at a youth team star.
Various City managers felt they could tame the talented Italian forward.
But since leaving the North West in 2013, he has rocked up at nine different clubs.
Mario Balotelli's career in numbers
THE Italian had the world at his feet when he arrived at Manchester City back in 2010.
Club career
- 2005-2006 Lumezzane – 2 appearances, 0 goals
- 2007-2010: Inter Milan – 86 appearances, 28 goals
- 2010-2013: Man City – 80 appearances, 30 goals
- 2012-2014: AC Milan – 54 appearances, 30 goals
- 2014-2015: Liverpool – 28 appearances, 4 goals
- 2015-2016: AC Milan (loan) – 23 appearances, 3 goals
- 2016-2019: Nice – 76 appearances, 43 goals
- 2018-2019: Marseille – 15 appearances, 8 goals
- 2019-2020: Brescia – 19 appearances, 5 goals
- 2020-2021: Monza – 14 appearances, 6 goals
- 2021-2023: Adana Demirspor – 35 appearances, 19 goals
- 2022-2023: Sion – 19 appearances, 6 goals
- 2023-2024: Adana Demispor – 16 appearances, 7 goals
- 2024-present: Genoa – 6 appearances, 0 goals
International career
- 2008-2010: Italy under-21 – 18 appearances, 7 goals
- 2010-2018: Italy – 36 appearances, 14 goals
Balotelli was approached last November by Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino, signing on the back of a positive meeting.
But Gilardino left the club just weeks after Balotelli’s arrival, with Vieira put in charge.
Balotelli signed a one-year deal with Genoa but is yet to find the net.
It’s now over a year since he last netted in a game.
Balotelli last found the net for Adana Demirspor against Turkish giants Fenerbahce in April 2024.
