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.
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.”
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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.