What is all the fuss about Mario Balotelli?
It appears Mourinho isn't a big fan of 'Super Mario'
As the January transfer window approaches names are thrown around as potential targets for clubs in the Premier League, Edin Dzeko is being linked with a move to England as is Ruud Van Nistelrooy but one name that has been constantly brought up is Inter Milan’s Mario Balotelli.
Initially linked with a loan move to West Ham during the summer, the quality of his suitor has risen considerably as the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea are now being linked with ‘Super Mario’.
The young striker is considered as one of the finest prospects in world football and will have a bright future ahead of him if (and this is a big if) he can smooth the rough edges that have seen him become somewhat of a pariah in his adopted home country, Italy.
Despite his lack of experience, the Italian U21 has become an integral part of Inter’s front line along with Diego Milito and Samuel Eto’o. His young age has obviously led to a lack of consistency in his performances but when he is in top form he really stands out. His performance against Genoa was world class and led Beppe Bergomi to call him ‘a unique goal scorer among Italian strikers’.
But if that is so what exactly has Balotelli done to find himself in the position he is, in Italy. Jose Mourinho has constantly criticised his attitude claiming he embodies a new generation of footballers that expect a lot for doing very little, thinking they are already a success, driving around in Ferraris which they haven’t yet earned with performances on the pitch.
After Inter’s 1-1 draw with Roma, Mourinho openly criticised Balotelli, claiming:
“Balotelli was terrible today, close to zero.”
And although it may appear that Mourinho is being harsh on the 19 year old, Balotelli doesn’t help his cause with his behaviour. Balotelli saw himself left out of an Inter’s game against Fiorentina at the end of November after turning up late to training, and recently caused a minor scandal when he told an audience at a charity dinner that he actually supports Inter’s rivals AC Milan. Add to this a dismissal against Rubin Kazan and a fight with Samuel Eto’o over who is on penalty duty and the picture of promising youth we initially had becomes tainted.
Balotelli has been subject to discrimination of fans in Italy, especially racial and Juventus were forced to play a game behind closed doors after the chants were particularly bad during a game last season. Even when he isn’t playing, he is still the centre of fans attention with the chant, “If you jump, Balotelli dies” being particularly popular. But as bad as his attitude is, nobody deserves this kind of abuse.
Balotelli is clearly a very talented player but with Mourinho’s criticisms and these chants, his talent is being hindered and lost amidst a sea of controversy.
Mourinho would do well to follow the example set by Fabio Capello in his dealings with another precocious talent, Antonio Cassano. Capello would approach him when he was in the wrong, but also let other more petty things go and ultimately ensured that the public did not forget his talent and immense potential, a situation Balotelli could very well find himself in.
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Super mario – amazing talent – youngsters with confidence and ability to back it up are hard to find but a real shame he does not have the mentality to match
Apparently the Ghana manager is going to visit Balotelli this week to convince him to play for him instead of Italy. Could be very interesting if it happens.
Balotelli’s already proven he’s a very talented young player but I think Inter were too quick to throw him into the first team; now the fans expect more from him than you should from a youngster and he’s getting over-confident, if he’d been allowed to develop as a reserve for longer then perhaps he would have learnt humility along with his game as he matured.
I think he’ll stay at Inter though regardless of Mourinho’s thoughts on him, maybe a loan out but nothing more
Good article, Super Mario i think is a good player and someone who is getting too much pressure on his young shoulders. Had he been playing for a Parma / Sampdoria (lower team than the big 3) i think he’d be doing alot more than he’s already doing.
The link with Cassano is one that’s very close to see as Cassano was badly mis managed at Roma, although i think he was always something of an enigma anyway, however Cassano didn’t help himself and his talent (although he’s doing well now) has never recovered.
Balotelli needs to stay at Inter and grow as a footballer. I hope he does that.