Manchester City star Erling Braut Haaland says he would either pick himself or Mario Balotelli to take a penalty kick for his life: ‘He was probably the best I’ve ever seen.’
The Norway international released an interview with Sky Sports UK, conducted by Manchester United legend Gary Neville. Haaland was asked who he would choose to take a ‘penalty kick for your life’, and his reply was somehow surprising.
“I have to say myself because I trust myself a lot. If not, there are some good ones. I have to say Mario Balotelli; probably he was the best one I’ve ever seen, he was really good, so probably him or me.”
Balotelli played for Manchester City from 2010 until 2013, when he returned to Serie A, joining Milan.
However, he hasn’t played for any of Europe’s top clubs since 2016, when he left the Rossoneri to join OGC Nice.
He also spent a season at Marseille in France, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances.
His following spells with Brescia in Serie A and Monza in Serie B were quite disappointing, as he only managed 11 goals across two seasons.
Balotelli scored 18 goals in 31 games at Adana Demirspor in 2021-22 before joining Sion this summer.
Rafaela Pimenta, the heir to football agent Mino Raiola, is currently the representative of both Balotelli and Haaland.
Why is it surprising? Balotelli ever missed two penalties, one against Reina (Napoli) and Perin (Genoa). Other pundits also answered Balotelli when asked the same question.
I was watching that match when Reina saved his PK.
Not surprised at all. Balo is outstanding at PK’s.
If only football consisted of 90mins of penalties.
He may have been able to live up to all the hype, unfortunately thats not the case and here we are!