On Monday, he will be the center of attention in Parma, where the unpredictable striker may make his debut for Genoa, his most recent Serie A club.
This week, Balotelli signed with the struggling Genoa, marking his return to Serie A after an absence of over four years.
“Mario has arrived with really great motivation. I’ve spoken a lot with him,” Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino said. “At the moment, his programme entails a week of working, both with the squad and undergoing physical tests. … I’m thinking about (including him) Monday night at Parma.
“But we’re taking it hour by hour, day by day. He’s a guy who must be protected in everything. I’ve been able to talk a lot with him. I know what he can give us, but as I’ve previously said, he can’t solve all the problems on his own.”
Balotelli's nomadic career has seen him journey from Inter Milan to Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice, Marseille, Brescia, Monza, Sion in Switzerland, and Turkey's Adana Demirspor on two occasions.
Renowned for his physical presence, technical skills, and finishing prowess, Balotelli was regarded as one of the top strikers globally; however, his accomplishments on the pitch have frequently been eclipsed by his off-field behavior.
During his tenure at Manchester City, where he secured a league title, Balotelli faced disciplinary issues, including four red cards, an incident involving a dart thrown at a youth player, and a peculiar event where fireworks detonated in his bathroom. Following a goal against Manchester United, he famously unveiled a T-shirt beneath his City jersey that read, “Why Always Me?”
Balotelli's last appearance in Serie A was in 2020 with his hometown club, Brescia. What began as a heartfelt return ultimately ended with his dismissal for not attending training sessions.
This may represent yet another critical opportunity for the 34-year-old forward.
“He’s correct. Now is not the moment for discussion; he must be evaluated based on his performance on the pitch,” stated former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli. “He needs to realize that this final chance is crucial for how he will be remembered.
“Let me clarify, he is already part of Italy's history, associated with some of its most cherished moments. However, everyone hopes to witness a spectacular goal on his debut. That would be a fairy tale. It’s challenging, I understand, but fairy tales linger in our memories when we close our eyes.”
Prandelli was the coach who gave Balotelli his first international cap in 2010. Two years later, Balotelli played a pivotal role in leading the Azzurri to the European Championship final, finishing as one of the tournament's top scorers.
Genoa is in dire need of his goal-scoring ability, currently sitting at the bottom of Serie A with only seven goals in nine matches. In their recent 3-0 defeat to Lazio, they managed just two shots on target, marking their fifth loss in six games.
“It would be a fairy tale if Balotelli could help Genoa avoid relegation, but we are all eager and anxious to see his physical condition,” Prandelli remarked. “We need to assess where he stands. The competition is fierce.
“What’s remarkable is that we have all suddenly become his supporters. I have never seen him this motivated, this intensely determined to make a comeback.”