Latest news with #MarioBalotelli
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Mario Balotelli 'targeted by Italian fourth tier side in shock move - as former Man City star looks for 13th club of career'
Mario Balotelli is reportedly being targeted by a fourth tier Italian side in what would be the 13th club of his career. Balotelli is remembered as one of the Premier League 's great characters after his spells with Manchester City and Liverpool, garnering headlines both on and off the pitch. He won the top prize in English football with City, assisting Sergio Aguero 's iconic injury time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season. The 34-year-old played for Serie A side Genoa last season but was released this summer after making just six appearances for the club. Balotelli is now a target for Italian fourth division side Pavia, according to Sky Sport Italia. Pavia, who play at a 4,999-capacity stadium, have been pursuing the striker for several months and are expected to table a formal offer in the near future. After leaving City in January 2013, Balotelli returned to Italy with AC Milan, scoring 12 goals in his first half-season. A move to Liverpool followed in 2014, but he struggled to make an impact at Anfield, netting just once in the Premier League before being loaned back to Milan. The forward rebuilt his reputation in France with a productive spell at Nice, where he scored 43 goals in 76 appearances, before a short stint at Marseille in 2019. Later that year, he signed for Brescia but departed after their relegation from Serie A. Balotelli then moved to Turkey in 2021, joining Adana Demirspor, where he enjoyed a prolific campaign, hitting 19 goals in 33 games. That was followed by a move to Switzerland with Sion before his most recent spell back in Italy. If he joins Pavia, it will mark the 13th club of a career that has taken him across five countries and seen him win league titles in both England and Italy.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Premier League winner dreams of playing for Real Madrid
Former Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has revealed that, despite his long career across Europe, one dream still remains unfulfilled – playing for Real Madrid. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 34-year-old was asked if there was anything left on his football bucket list. His answer was simple and direct: 'Playing for Real Madrid.' Balotelli, who joined Serie A club Genoa on a free transfer in 2024, only made six appearances during the 2024/25 season. Currently without a club, the Italian forward is open about his ambitions and the fact that he still holds the dream of wearing the famous white shirt of Los Blancos. For Real Madrid fans, it is a reminder of the club's unmatched pull in world football – able to capture the imagination of top players even after their prime. Connection with Barcelona Interestingly, Balotelli also has a brief past with Barcelona. At just 15, he had a trial with the Blaugrana before ultimately signing for Inter Milan. He recalls that period fondly, especially the talented group he played alongside. Mario Balotelli dreams of playing for Real Madrid. (Photo by) 'I had a dream there, during that time I spent in Barcelona before going to Inter,' he said. 'That team was wonderful, with the Dos Santos brothers (Giovanni and Jonathan), Thiago Alcantara, Bojan … We played with freedom. 'They only taught us technique: control and quick passing, no tactics. It was a joy to go out onto the field, that team was incredible, we won 15-0.' While Balotelli's memories of Barcelona are positive, his heart now seems fixed on Real Madrid. The Italian's words highlight how the prestige and history of Los Blancos continue to inspire even those who have experienced the magic of other big clubs. For now, judging by the look of things, Balotelli's dream if playing for Real Madrid will remain unfulfilled considering the current state of affairs.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Agent: Serie A return ‘difficult' for Balotelli
Mario Balotelli's agent Enzo Raiola admits that the striker's return to Serie A is 'difficult' after a negative spell at Genoa: 'We'll consider other options.' Balotelli is available as a free agent after his contract with Genoa expired in June. The Italian striker signed for Il Grifone in October, but only made six appearances under Patrick Vieira. Balotelli unlikely to return to Serie A Mario Balotelli of OGC Nice reacts during the French Ligue 1 soccer match between OGC Nice and Olympique Marseille, at the Allianz Riviera stadium, in Nice, France, 21 October 2018. EPA-EFE/SEBASTIEN NOGIER 'Last year, he made a decision from the heart and for his life, choosing to stay in Italy, hoping to find a club. In the end, there was an opportunity, but things didn't go as he hoped,' Raiola told DerbyDerbyDerby. 'Mario has always had many offers from abroad and still does, but at this point, it's difficult for him to return to Serie A, especially after this last experience, which wasn't positive.' Why Balotelli flopped at Genoa GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Mario Balotelli of Genoa looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by) What didn't work at Marassi for the 34-year-old? 'It wasn't because of a lack of commitment,' said Raiola. 'He gave everything to prove his worth, but he didn't find the right conditions. I told him last year that he should consider offers from abroad, which were significant. He chose Italy, and I respected his decision. Today, there are no negotiations underway for him in Italy. We'll consider other options, but a final decision is up to him.' Genoa wasn't the only option for Balotelli last year. 'There was a discussion with Torino's ownership to assess the feasibility, but Genoa moved quickly and Mario accepted their offer,' Raiola concluded. Balotelli has played for several Serie A clubs in his career, including Inter and Milan. Genoa's Mario Balotelli in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Parma Calcio vs Genoa CFC at Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, 04 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI He has netted 52 goals in 147 appearances in Italy's top flight. The Italian striker also played for Manchester City and Liverpool, scoring 21 goals in 70 league appearances in England. Balotelli made his senior Italy debut in 2010 and scored 14 goals in 36 international appearances. His trophy cabinet includes a Champions League and three Serie A titles with Inter and one Premier League title with Manchester City.
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Iconic club who Pep Guardiola played for booted out of the league after 114 years
FAMOUS Italian club Brescia have been booted out of the country's professional leagues for the first time in their 114-year history. The former Serie A side is now facing EXTINCTION due to financial problems and is close to declaring bankruptcy. Advertisement 3 Pep Guardiola's former club Brescia have been booted out of Italy's professional leagues 3 Roberto Baggio and Andrea Pirlo also played for Brescia, who now face extinction 3 Mario Balotelli is part of Brescia's impressive alumni page The Italian Football Federation - also knows as the FIGC - announced on Thursday that they The FIGC released the following statement: "The FIGC Federal Council takes note of the refusal to grant Brescia Calcio a national license for the 2025-2026 season and therefore to accept it to play the 2025-2026 Serie C season." Brescia started this season in Serie B but failed to pay debts of more than £2.5million. The Lombardy giants were promoted to Serie A in 2019 but were relegated the very next season. Advertisement Read More on Football Things went from bad to worse last term as they were deducted four points amid their financial woes, which saw them drop to Serie C. Rolando Maran's side initially managed to secure their place in Serie B as they finished 15th. However, Brescia were hit with an eight-point penalty - four for this past season and another four for the next one - due to administrative offences. That saw them drop to 18th place, which ultimately led to relegation to the third division. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Brescia are owned by Massimo Cellino , who was in charge of eight years ago. Cellino had a troubled tenure in Yorkshire and left amid fan protests and much discontent. Sean Dyche reveals what Pep Guardiola said to Steve Bruce about Lionel Messi that left him in tears Now Brescia are facing a very uncertain future that could see them disappear altogether. Advertisement This is a famous Italian club that has seen a raft of legendary players wear the jersey. That includes current Luca Toni, Marek Hamsik and Mario Balotelli.
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mario Balotelli set for 13th career transfer to surprise third tier club
Mario Balotelli is poised to leave Genoa after making just six appearances and is in talks over a move to Spanish third tier side Real Murcia ahead of his 35th birthday Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli could be plying his trade in the Spanish third tier next season, with a swift exit from current side Genoa brewing. Balotelli has had a journeyman career since the early heights and could be about to drop down two divisions to find his 13th club. The 34-year-old joined Genoa in October on a contract until the end of the season and is poised to move after just six appearances for the Italian side. His deal expires on June 30 and reports in Spain say his agent is in talks with Real Murcia. Balotelli previously held talks over signing for CF Intercity – a third-division club based in Alicante – and a similar move is now in the offing. The striker's agents met with Murcia president Felipe Moreno in Madrid recently and a contract has been discussed with sporting director Asier Goiria. Murcia, based in south-eastern Spain, will be playing in the third division next season after suffering defeat in the promotion play-offs. They will be pushing for promotion to the second tier once again in 2025/26. The club have played 18 La Liga campaigns and hold the record for the most second-division titles with eight. But they haven't been in La Liga since 2008 and slipped to the fourth division in 2022 due to financial difficulties. The Murcia chiefs clearly think that adding the star power of Balotelli can make the difference after losing to Gimnastic de Tarragona in the play-off semi-finals following a second-place finish. Balotelli, who will turn 35 in August, has moved all around Europe, from Italy to Turkey, via England, France and Switzerland, but has never played in Spain. Murcia would be his 13th club after Lumezzane, Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice, Marseille, Brescia, Monza, Sion, Adana Demirspor and Genoa. He didn't make an impression at Genoa, where all six of his Serie A appearances came in November and December. Two yellow cards were the grand sum of his contributions, but a broken hand was to blame for the majority of the matches he missed. Balotelli was signed by Alberto Gilardino, only for the manager to be sacked just weeks later. His replacement, Patrick Vieira was less keen on Balotelli, having played together at Inter Milan and been together at Nice for a time too. Vieira froze Balotelli out, prompting a not-so-cryptic message on social media from the Italian striker. Posting a photo of himself inside the Genoa locker room, he wrote: "Someone around here would deserve to see not a mature Mario, but the rebellious 16-year-old Mario, maybe then they'd understand what it really means to disrespect someone like this." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
