At 36, Mario Balotelli speaks with a calm and clarity that seems far removed from the turbulent image that once defined his career. Now playing for Al Ittifaq in the United Arab Emirates, the former Manchester City and Italy striker appears to have made peace with his past while offering a sharp critique of the state of football in his home country.
Balotelli's move to the UAE, agreed on a two-and-a-half-year contract in January 2026, was not something he had long planned. "To tell you the truth, it was an idea that came up more or less at the last minute," he explained, describing conversations with the club's president that ultimately convinced him the project was worthwhile. He was quick to dismiss suggestions that money was his primary motivation, noting instead that the sporting project appealed to him.
A major factor behind the switch was the chance to finally play alongside his brother, Enock Barwuah, fulfilling a wish the pair had held since childhood. Balotelli recalled his brother once asking how they could ever play together if Mario remained at clubs like Inter, Milan or Manchester City. He had always replied that later in his career, at a slightly less prominent club, the opportunity might arise. "It's always been a dream, and now it's coming true," he said.
On the football itself in the Gulf, Balotelli praised the facilities but pointed to a lack of atmosphere as a downside. He described the stadiums as excellent but lamented the sparse crowds, adding that organizational aspects across the league still need improvement, though he expects progress over time.
The conversation inevitably turned to Italy, a country that has missed the last three World Cups, a source of continued frustration for the former Azzurri striker. Balotelli offered a grounded, almost sociological explanation rather than a tactical one. He recalled spending entire days playing football in the streets and parks as a child, often being scolded by his mother for staying out until dark. That kind of unstructured play, he argued, was crucial to developing technical ability and resilience, particularly through competing against older kids.
He contrasted this with modern habits, blaming smartphones, video games and shifting parental attitudes for keeping today's children away from the informal football culture that shaped his generation. "Today, kids are on their phones. They feel like Ronaldinho because they watch his videos. I felt like Ronaldo because I could actually pull off the same tricks at the park," he said. Despite this bleak assessment, Balotelli remained optimistic that Italian football would eventually recover, pointing to similar downturns experienced by Spain, France and Germany before their own resurgences, though he suggested it might take a couple of generations.
Balotelli, who won 36 caps and scored 14 goals for Italy, also spoke fondly of Roberto Mancini, the coach who guided him through his most successful years and who has since returned to lead the national team. The two remain close, with Mancini recently sending Balotelli a birthday message. Asked whether he could ever return to the national side under Mancini again, Balotelli replied simply: "If I keep scoring, yes."
Reflecting on his time in England, Balotelli described his three years at Manchester City—where he won the Premier League and FA Cup—as among the best memories of his career, made more meaningful by being part of the club's early transformation into a major footballing power.
Looking ahead, Balotelli said he is currently managing a minor leg issue but training well despite the heat affecting performance levels. He intends to continue playing as long as his body allows, before eventually shifting focus to his business interests and family life, seeking a quieter existence after what he called "a very hectic career."
Asked what advice he would give his 16-year-old self, Balotelli said he would tell him to avoid certain choices and to listen more closely to certain people at key moments in his life.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.