Mario Balotelli gave a lengthy interview covering his chaotic life and career, insisting he ‘made a few mistakes, but not many’ and revealing clashes with Jose Mourinho, Francesco Totti, love for Inter and the time he nearly joined Juventus.
The striker was born in Palermo to Ghanaian parents and adopted by the Balotelli family at the age of four, admitting he was not entirely sure at the time what was happening.
“I probably wasn’t an easy kid to deal with, but as time went on, I understood my parents wanted me to have a better future and I thank them for that,” he told the podcast Muschio Selvaggio.
He flourished in the Inter youth academy and was launched into the main team, but this was also where he started to show his troubled personality.
“I loved Inter a great deal and I still do. I am grateful to the Nerazzurri, especially (President Massimo) Moratti. In my heart, I am a Milanista, but I really did enjoy my time with Inter and the fans are extraordinary.
“I admit, throwing my shirt to the ground after the Champions League semi-final with Barcelona ruined everything. I was wrong, but I was 19 years old. I couldn’t understand why the stadium was jeering me for losing the ball a couple of times and I returned home in tears that night.”
Marco Materazzi famously pinned Balotelli to the wall of the locker room that evening, but the striker acknowledges it was fully deserved.
“Materazzi was my guardian angel. He told me off after that gesture, but it was because he was just trying to protect me.”
The rapport with coach Mourinho was similarly tense at times and Balotelli reveals a clash behind the scenes.
“Mou is not an easy guy to deal with, much like me. One time before a trip to Catania, we had an argument on the bus taking us to the airport. He made me get off the bus and I had to return home with a car.”
Among the famous incidents involving SuperMario, he was given a nasty kick by Roma legend Totti during the Coppa Italia Final, leading to a red card and lengthy ban.
“In truth, it didn’t hurt much and Francesco had nothing against me, he was just frustrated at not starting the match. I wrote him a message asking him why he’d done it, he replied he hadn’t even managed to kick me properly… We joked about it, I respect him and we have a good rapport.”
That was one of the rare occasions when Balotelli was the injured party, as he was usually the one stirring up trouble and headlines at Inter, Liverpool, Manchester United and Milan.
“I know that I made mistakes, but it is also true that the spotlight was always on me. Aside from my own character and the label of being a prodigy as a teenager, I think the status of being the first black player in the Italy squad also contributed to people always talking about what I did off the field. I saw colleagues do some things, if it had been me…”
Before joining Milan from Manchester City in January 2013, after yet another falling out with Roberto Mancini, the history was almost very different.
“Mino Raiola spoke to Beppe Marotta, I met with Antonio Conte and Pavel Nedved, the coach explained how I would play. It seemed done, then Adriano Galliani intercepted and brought me to Milan. It was a real family there.”
Agent Raiola died last year and never gave up on his client, even when others did.
“Raiola always told me the same thing: If Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have so many Ballon d’Or trophies, it is your fault. He was right, too often I played at 20% of my capabilities.”
Balotelli has not lost hope of representing Italy, despite Mancini slamming the door shut.
“When I wear the Azzurri jersey, the feeling is incredible. I always got along well with Mancini, it’s not true that we argued at Manchester City. I still feel that I am worthy of the Nazionale.”
Now 32 and playing in Switzerland for FC Sion, he is in no rush to hang up his boots.
“I think I can play at least another four years at a good level. When I do retire, I’ll be happy with the path I have taken. I could’ve done more, but in any case I won everything.”