Mario Balotelli
Italian striker known for his strength, pace, and penalty-taking ability.
Mario Balotelli Barwuah (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmaːrjo baloˈtɛlli]; né Barwuah; born 12 August 1990) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker for UAE First Division club Al-Ittifaq. Regarded as a highly promising player in his youth, Balotelli is a versatile forward with strength, pace and an eye for goal. He is a penalty kick specialist. While recognised for his ability, Balotelli has attracted criticism throughout his career for his conduct, work rate and disciplinary record.
- Role
- Striker
- Manager
- Gian Piero Gasperini
- Previous Club
- Liverpool FC
- Status
- Former Player
- Notable Goal
- Volley vs Juventus
Lore & Background
Balotelli started his professional football career in 2005 at Lumezzane, before joining Inter Milan in 2007. He won the treble (Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League) in 2010. Balotelli reunited with Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini at Manchester City in 2010, helping them win a Premier League title and FA Cup. He moved back to Italy in January 2013, signing for Inter's rival club, AC Milan, before returning to the Premier League with Liverpool 18 months later. Following a return to Milan on loan, Balotelli departed to France, playing for Nice and Marseille in Ligue 1. He returned to Italy a third time, joining Serie A club Brescia in summer 2019, and Serie B club Monza in late 2020. The following summer, Balotelli signed for Turkish club Adana Demirspor.
In Their Own Story
The floodlights hummed over the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia as rain slicked the pitch. In the Curva Nord, the drums beat a relentless rhythm. Balotelli stood alone in the box, holding off two defenders with his back to goal. He sensed the cross coming from the wing. With one touch he controlled it, and with another, he unleashed a thunderous strike that roared into the net. The roar of the crowd was deafening, drowning out the rain.
Reader's Guide
Balotelli earned his first cap for Italy in a friendly match against the Ivory Coast in 2010. 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, scoring twice against Germany in the semi-finals, and won bronze at the Confederations Cup. Balotelli is Italy's joint-top scorer in the UEFA European Championship, and joint-top scorer in the Confederations Cup.
Did You Know?
- Balotelli was born Mario Barwuah in Palermo, Sicily, to Ghanaian immigrants.
- He was placed in foster care with the Balotelli family at age three.
- He officially gained Italian citizenship on 13 August 2008.
- He is Italy's joint-top scorer in the UEFA European Championship and the Confederations Cup.
More in Legendary Players & Icons
Elsewhere in the Atalanta universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record