Mario Balotelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mario Balotelli

Balotelli warming up for Liverpool in 2014
Personal information
Date of birth	(1990-08-12) 12 August 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Palermo, Italy
Height	1.89 m
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Genoa
Number	45
Youth career
2001–2006	Lumezzane
2006–2007	Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006	Lumezzane	2	(0)
2007–2010	Inter Milan	59	(20)
2010–2013	Manchester City	54	(20)
2013–2014	AC Milan	43	(26)
2014–2016	Liverpool	16	(1)
2015–2016	→ AC Milan (loan)	20	(1)
2016–2019	Nice	61	(33)
2019	Marseille	15	(8)
2019–2020	Brescia	19	(5)
2020–2021	Monza	12	(5)
2021–2022	Adana Demirspor	33	(18)
2022–2023	Sion	18	(6)
2023–2024	Adana Demirspor	16	(7)
2024–	Genoa	6	(0)
National team‡
2008–2010	Italy U21	18	(7)
2010–2018	Italy	36	(14)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Italy UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2012 Poland–Ukraine FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2013 Brazil
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:14, 23 December 2024 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 7 September 2018

Mario Balotelli Barwuah (born August 12, 1990) is a famous Italian professional footballer. He plays as a forward for Genoa, a club in Italy's top league, Serie A.

Balotelli started his professional football journey in 2005 with Lumezzane. He then joined Inter Milan in 2007. With Inter, he won the treble in 2010. This means they won the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Champions League all in one season.

In 2010, Balotelli moved to Manchester City in England. There, he helped them win the Premier League title and the FA Cup. He returned to Italy in 2013 to play for AC Milan. After that, he played for Liverpool in England. He also played for French clubs Nice and Marseille. Later, he returned to Italy to play for Brescia and Monza. He also played for Adana Demirspor in Turkey and Sion in Switzerland.

Balotelli first played for the Italian national team in 2010. He played in over 30 international games. He represented Italy in UEFA Euro 2012, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He helped Italy reach the Euro 2012 final. He also won a bronze medal at the Confederations Cup.

Mario Balotelli is known as a very talented player. He is strong, fast, and good at scoring goals. He is also excellent at taking penalty kicks. Sometimes, he has faced challenges with his behavior on and off the field.

Early Life and Italian Citizenship

Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, on August 12, 1990. His biological parents were immigrants from Ghana. When he was two, his family moved to Bagnolo Mella.

In 1993, at age three, Mario was placed in foster care. He was cared for by the Balotelli family in Concesio, Brescia. He eventually took their last name. In 2012, he dedicated his goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals to his foster mother, Silvia.

Mario had to wait until he was 18 to become an Italian citizen. He officially gained citizenship on August 13, 2008. Mario has three biological siblings: Abigail, Enoch, and Angel Barwuah. His brother Enoch is also a professional footballer.

Club Career Highlights

Starting with Lumezzane

Mario Balotelli began his football career close to home. He joined Lumezzane when he was young. At just 15 years old, he played his first professional game. This was on April 2, 2006, in a Serie C1 league match.

Time at Inter Milan

In 2006, Balotelli joined Inter Milan. He made his first team debut in December 2007. He scored two goals in a Coppa Italia match against Reggina. He also scored two goals against Juventus in the Coppa Italia. Inter Milan won the 2007–08 Serie A title that season.

In November 2008, Balotelli made history for Inter. He became their youngest player to score in the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League. This happened in a 3–3 draw against Anorthosis Famagusta. Inter won the Serie A title for the fourth time in a row.

Balotelli had some disagreements with his coach, José Mourinho. He also faced racist chants from fans during some matches. Despite these challenges, he helped Inter win the 2009–10 Serie A, 2009–10 Coppa Italia, and Champions League in 2010.

Moving to Manchester City

On August 12, 2010, Balotelli joined Manchester City in England. He reunited with his former coach, Roberto Mancini. Balotelli scored in his very first game for City. This was in a UEFA Europa League match.

Balotelli (right) with Alex Song and Bacary Sagna in April 2012.

In November 2010, he scored his first two Premier League goals. He also won the Golden Boy Award in December 2010. This award is for the best young player in Europe. On December 28, he scored his first Premier League hat-trick. This helped City win the FA Cup in May 2011. It was their first trophy in 35 years.

In the 2011–12 season, Balotelli scored two goals against Manchester United. City won that game 6–1. He helped Manchester City win the Premier League title in 2012. He provided an assist for the winning goal in the final match.

Playing for AC Milan

On January 29, 2013, Balotelli signed with AC Milan. He was given the number 45 shirt. He scored two goals in his debut match for Milan. This helped them win 2–1 against Udinese.

Balotelli playing for AC Milan in 2013

He continued to score many goals for Milan. He scored 12 goals in his first 13 games. This helped Milan finish third in Serie A. In December 2013, he scored an amazing 30-yard free-kick.

Time at Liverpool

In August 2014, Balotelli moved to Liverpool. He made his debut on August 31. He scored his first Liverpool goal in a Champions League match in September.

Balotelli playing for Liverpool in September 2014.

His first Premier League goal for Liverpool came in February 2015. He scored a late winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur. He scored 4 goals in 28 games for Liverpool.

Loan to AC Milan

In August 2015, Balotelli returned to AC Milan on loan. He scored his first goal back with a free kick against Udinese. He suffered a groin injury shortly after. He returned to play in January 2016. He helped Milan reach the Coppa Italia final.

Joining Nice in France

On August 31, 2016, Balotelli joined Nice in France. He signed a one-year deal. He scored two goals in his debut for Nice. This was in a 3–2 win against Marseille.

Balotelli playing for Nice in February 2018.

He scored another two goals in his second game. This made him the first player in 25 years to score four goals in his first two Ligue 1 matches. He finished the 2017–18 season with 18 league goals. This was his highest career total.

Playing for Marseille

On January 23, 2019, Balotelli signed with Marseille. He scored his first goal for the club in his debut. This was in the last minute of the game.

Balotelli with Marseille in 2019

He scored an amazing acrobatic goal in March. He celebrated by taking a picture with his phone on the field. He became the first player since the 1960s to score in his first five home games for Marseille.

Return to Italy with Brescia

On August 18, 2019, Balotelli signed with his hometown club, Brescia. He made his debut in September. He scored his first goal for Brescia against Napoli.

In November 2019, Balotelli faced racist chants from fans. He kicked the ball into the crowd in response. He later scored a goal in that game. Brescia was relegated to Serie B at the end of the season.

Time at Monza

On December 7, 2020, Balotelli joined Monza in Serie B. He reunited with former teammates and coaches. He scored in his debut for Monza, just four minutes into the game.

Adana Demirspor and Sion

In July 2021, Balotelli joined Adana Demirspor in Turkey. He scored 18 goals in the 2021–22 Süper Lig season. One of his goals was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award. This award is for the most beautiful goal of the year.

In August 2022, he signed with Sion in Switzerland. He left Sion in September 2023. He then returned to Adana Demirspor for another season.

Back to Genoa

On October 28, 2024, Balotelli signed with Genoa in Serie A. He made his debut for Genoa in November.

International Career

Youth Teams

Balotelli could not play for Italy's youth teams at first. This was because he was still considered a Ghanaian immigrant. He wanted to play for Italy once he became a citizen.

On August 13, 2008, he finally gained Italian citizenship. He then joined the Italy under-21 team. He scored his first international goal in his debut.

Senior National Team

On August 10, 2010, Balotelli played his first game for the Italy senior team. This was in a friendly match against Ivory Coast. He scored his first senior international goal in November 2011. This was in a 2–0 win against Poland.

UEFA Euro 2012 Performance

Balotelli playing for Italy in 2012.

In June 2012, Balotelli became the first black player to play for Italy in a major tournament. This was at UEFA Euro 2012. He scored his first goal in the tournament against the Republic of Ireland.

On June 28, he scored two goals against Germany in the semi-finals. Italy won 2–1 and reached the final. After his second goal, he famously took off his shirt and flexed his muscles. Italy lost to Spain in the final. Balotelli was named in the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament. He was also one of the top scorers with three goals.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Confederations Cup

Balotelli was Italy's main striker for the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. In March 2013, he scored two goals against Malta. This continued his strong scoring form.

In June 2013, Balotelli played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He scored a late winning goal against Mexico. He also scored a penalty against Japan. Italy reached the semi-finals for the first time. Balotelli finished as Italy's top scorer in the World Cup qualifiers.

2014 FIFA World Cup

On June 1, 2014, Balotelli was chosen for Italy's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He scored Italy's winning goal in their first match. This was a 2–1 victory over England. Italy did not advance past the first round.

Playing Style

Balotelli playing against England in 2012

Mario Balotelli is known for being fast, creative, and strong. He has great technical skills and can score many goals. He is good at heading the ball and can score with either foot. He usually plays as a main striker. He can also play as a winger or a second striker.

Despite his talent, he has sometimes been criticized for his behavior. He has been called inconsistent and sometimes arrogant on the field. This has led to him getting unnecessary yellow cards.

Balotelli is also a specialist at taking free kicks. He is considered one of the best penalty kick takers in football. He has scored 38 out of 43 penalties he has taken in his career.

Personal Life

Mario Balotelli's sister is married to Nigerian footballer Obafemi Martins. Their son, Kevin Martins, is also a professional footballer.

In 2012, Balotelli was featured in GQ magazine. He was named the second-best dressed man in the world. He also appeared on the cover of Time magazine in November 2012.

Balotelli enjoys mixed martial arts. He has said he would like to compete in the sport if he wasn't a footballer.

Balotelli has two children. His daughter, Pia, was born in 2012. He also has a son named Lion, born in 2017.

Honours

Inter Milan

• Serie A: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
• Coppa Italia: 2009–10
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2008
• UEFA Champions League: 2009–10

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2011–12
• FA Cup: 2010–11

Italy

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2012
• FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2013

Individual Awards

• Golden Boy: 2010
• UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2012
• Serie A Team of the Year: 2012–13
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: March 2019

Images for kids

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  Balotelli playing for Inter Milan in 2009

See also

In Spanish: Mario Balotelli para niños