Mario Balotelli, the enigmatic figure once dubbed “Super Mario,” is turning 35. Instead of grand celebrations, his sole wish is for health—for himself and his loved ones. This understated desire hints at a man far removed from the boisterous, headline-grabbing persona that once defined him. “Everything used to be black or white for me,” Balotelli admits, reflecting on his journey. “Now, I’m learning to see the shades of grey. It`s not easy, but I`m getting used to it.”
The Private Battles of a Public Figure: Fatherhood
Perhaps the most poignant of Balotelli`s reflections concerns his role as a father. Acknowledging a profound regret, he shares, “I was never fully allowed to be present, and over time, I’ve realized how wonderful this responsibility is.” The struggle to connect with his children is palpable, particularly with his son, Lion, a situation he attributes to restrictive legal frameworks. While his relationship with daughter Pia, whose mother Raffaella is “more available,” is improving, Lion`s connection remains challenging. Despite these hurdles, Balotelli’s pride in their burgeoning talents shines through: Pia in karate, and Lion, predictably, showing early promise in football. He fondly recalls his adoptive father Franco`s simple wisdom: “You don`t need me to teach you anything, you`re on first-name terms with the ball.” A testament to innate talent, or perhaps a gentle reminder of the pure joy football once brought him.
The Quest for a Final Chapter in Football
As for his professional future, Balotelli’s response is laced with his characteristic blend of ambition and self-awareness, bordering on irony. When asked where he’ll play next, he merely laughs, then confesses his dream of playing for Real Madrid – a dream perhaps as distant as the moon. In reality, he seeks a club that offers trust and a chance to play for “another two or three years.” After that, a heartwarming prospect awaits: joining his brother Enock, currently playing amateur football in Vado, to conclude their careers together. This desire for a simple, fraternal finale stands in stark contrast to the glitzy stages he once graced. He asserts his readiness, “I feel good. I feel ready,” a statement underscored by his rigorous training, including sessions with Muay Thai world champion Rodtang. “It`s a tough sport,” he notes, suggesting a new found appreciation for discipline.
A Look Back and Forward: Missed Opportunities and Future Talents
Balotelli’s perspective on modern football is refreshingly blunt. He doesn’t “follow TV” or “stay updated” on Serie A, lamenting the shift towards “athletes who are 1.90 meters tall, but no one beats a man anymore.” He attributes this to an overly restrictive youth development system where kids are “punished” for attempting audacious dribbles. His own early career offers a stark contrast: a “beautiful” period at Barcelona’s youth academy, playing alongside talents like the Dos Santos brothers, Thiago Alcantara, and Bojan. There, the focus was purely on technique – “stop and passing on the fly, no tactics.” He recalls winning games 15-0, a joy unburdened by tactical rigidity. While acknowledging success with Inter and Milan, he admits his childhood allegiance was to Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno,” fostering a “sympathy” for Inter before his fondness for Milan grew. Being a true “fan,” however, is “another thing entirely.”
Despite his criticisms, Balotelli remains invested in the future of Italian football. He candidly admits his biggest career regret is not putting in more effort and, crucially, not having more opportunities with the Italian National Team. “If I had more chances, maybe I could have gotten closer to Riva`s record,” he muses, hinting at unseen forces that “didn`t want him” in the Azzurri. Such claims, of course, resonate with his long-standing narrative of being misunderstood or unfairly treated. He offers well wishes to Gennaro Gattuso and expresses concern over the dearth of quality Italian strikers, blaming the unstable paths young players face, being shuttled between lower leagues. He specifically highlights young talents he believes in: Pio Esposito (“has everything to break through”), Francesco Camarda (curious to see his progress at Lecce), and Lorenzo Venturino (“deserves trust”).
Loyalty, Respect, and National Identity
The conversation turns to the complexities of player-fan relationships. On the recent “Lookman case” – a player deleting club-related photos on social media – Balotelli offers a rare moment of self-criticism. He regrets his infamous gesture of removing his Inter shirt in celebration, using it as a lesson learned. “With the head I have today,” he states, “I wouldn’t have deleted the photos with the Atalanta shirt.” His reasoning is simple and direct: “It`s true that `flags` no longer exist, that players sooner or later leave. But the fans have nothing to do with it. They deserve recognition and respect. And that doesn`t just apply to Atalanta fans.”
He concludes with a thought on national identity in sport, applauding 15-year-old Kelly Doualla’s success as a U20 European champion and her pride in representing Italy. Balotelli firmly states his own choice to represent Italy was “out of heart and sense of belonging.” Conversely, he criticizes those with dual passports who opt for the “strongest national team, therefore for calculation.” It’s a subtle but pointed jab, hinting at a purist’s view of national representation. Mario Balotelli, it seems, is still learning his shades of grey, but some principles remain firmly black and white for him.
