Mario Balotelli had resumed Serie A at 34 with Genoa, at the end of October 2024, after more than four years of absence from the Italian championship. Hoped to be an offensive solution in the face of the club crisis of the club under Alberto Gilardino then Patrick Vieira, Balotelli had signed a contract until June 2025. Despite this arrival media, his playing time remained anecdotal: no tenure in Serie A, only six entries totaling 56 minutes, without any purpose or decisive pass. Its beginnings were even marked by two yellow cards, received respectively against Parma and Como. In summary, the return of Super Mario to Genoa turned to the sports fiasco, the attacker who has not managed to regain rhythm or efficiency. After this brief and disappointing experience, a break was total with the Genoa of Patrick Vieira who had finished the season very well, leaving Balotelli again without a club at the end of the season.
“Last year, he made a choice of heart and life, deciding to stay in Italy in the hope of finding a club. In the end, an opportunity arose, but things did not take place as hoped for. Mario has always had many requests from abroad and continues to have them, but today I find it difficult for him to return to Serie A, especially after this last experience, less than positive. It is not for lack of commitment, because it gave everything to prove its value, but it did not find the ideal conditions. I told him last year that he should assess foreign offers, which were important. He chose Italy and I respected his wishes. Currently, no negotiations are underway for him in Italy: we will assess other options, but the final decision belongs to him ”said his agent Enzo Raiola. And in an interview with Gazzetta dello SportSuper Mario confirmed working on a return.
Super Mario is looking for a club
“”I am looking for a club that will trust me. I want to play another two or three years. Then, I will go to my brother inock. He is now playing for Vado among amateurs. We will see. In short, I promised to end my career by his side. I'm doing well. I feel ready. “I am passionate about football. But too much change. I see a lot of players on the field who measure 1.90 meters, but no one has the right to dribble. And then, now, as soon as the young players make a little bridge, they end up on the accused bench». Moreover, the Italian press very recently mentioned an interest of Padova, promoted in Serie B and led by Joseph Oughourlian of the RC Lens. It is part of an extended list of experienced scorers who appeal to the management of the Venetian club. As a reminder, as we revealed last winter during the clash with the Genoa, two South Korean clubs of K League 1, whose names have not yet filtered, were ready to return to the charge to afford Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker had received Japanese, Australian and Indian sirens a few months ago.
Considered for a long time as a fallen nugget after contrasting passages at Inter, Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool, OM or even OGC Nice, Balotelli now assumes: “Overall, I could have made more efforts. My only regret concerns the national team: I could have played more. If I had had more opportunities, I might have been able to get closer to Riva (in number of goals scored, editor's note). Some did not want me as a national team … but it's a past. Lack of attackers in Italy? This is a serious problem. Young players have no continuity. They are sent to the lower divisions and, after a few months, they already change clubs. They are lost“, He said, mentioning the names of Pio Esposito, Francesco Camarda and Lorenzo Venturino in young offensive nuggets to develop. Mario Balotelli, already free, maintains the mystery and is preparing in the shadows for yet another return.
