Mitch Fraser introduces us to the enigma that is Mario Balotelli.
Soccer is littered with famous extroverts, the misbehaving stars and crazy characters from Paul Gascoigne to Joey Barton, Mark Bosnich, Eric Cantona and the king Diego Maradona. As seems to happen in this sport, these men are remembered not only for their incredible feats on the pitch but for the ridiculous actions on or off it.
The sport’s most notable prima donnas are always an international talking point. These scandal-prone stars who attract headlines daily. Despite their dreadful behaviour on and off the pitch, these men have become legends because their skills could never be matched, and emit a magnetism which allows them to grow in the hearts of fans. They do things that leave us scratching our heads or rolling our eyes but they keep us enthralled with their explicit displays of emotion and stupidity.
Mario Balotelli - Produces fireworks on and off the pitch.
The newest member of this elite club is Manchester City’s Italian striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli is one of international soccer’s emerging superstars. Unpredictable and flamboyant both on and off the field, Balotelli brings a new dimension to the world game. A dimension that’s missing from a shy Lionel Messi and an outright pretentious Christiano Ronaldo.
The predicament with Balotelli is that his arrogant and colourful nature is viewed as a volatile and divisive influence within the bubble that is the English Premier League.
City manager Roberto Mancini took a massive gamble in recruiting Balotelli as part of his Manchester blue revolution after a failed stint at Inter Milan and unsuccessful trial at Barcelona. His fellow Italian sees something in the erratic striker that most don’t.
The Italian front man scores stunning goals but he also gets carded, ejected and shows off. At only 21 he has reached a point in his career where he is no longer judged on football performance.
Bathroom firework displays, luxury sports car roof jumping competitions, rolling pin sword fights after team curfew, burgling his own home, dressing up as Santa and handing out bundles of cash. Since his introduction to top-flight football both in Italy and England, the striker’s involvement in mildly humorous misdemeanours off the field, coupled with some scintillating form on it has made the Italian somewhat of an international media magnet.
A day after the fire brigade was called to his mansion when fireworks were set off in his bathroom he dominated the Manchester Derby, he netted a brace in the 6-1 victory. It was a massive statement on the biggest of stages, totally dominating the United defence.
But a series of inexplicable actions have crept into his game. And it’s simply not good enough.
Why Always Me? - Will the highly talented footballer ever be taken seriously?
Late last year the young striker received a red card, in a tight match against Liverpool, in only just his 17th minute of play he received a second yellow after being substituted on late. Being sent off in under 20 minutes exemplified everything wrong with a ‘me-first’ attitude in elite top-flight sport, an issue that has and will continue to plague him throughout his career.
He now faces a four game ban after his latest indiscretion, picking up an FA charge for violent conduct after stomping on the head of Tottenham defender Scott Parker during City’s crucial 3-2 win on Sunday. He avoided a red card after the referee believed contact was accidental.
Ironically, Balotelli went on to win and convert the 94th minute match winning penalty.
Balotelli loves all the attention and whether it be a spread or cross armed celebration, it screams look at me. “Why Always Me?” read his undershirt after his first goal against United, the answer is now indented on Scott Parker’s forehead.
He flirts too closely to the edge, and until he can stop crossing the line the manic, mad Mario will never be recognised as one of world football’s lovable misbehaving extroverted superstars, but a reckless thug who continuously let down his teammates.
Love him or loathe him, Balotelli could be great for football.
Welcome to Super Mario World.
Mitch Fraser is a second year Journalism, Media and Communications and Marketing student at the University of Tasmania. Passionate about all things sport, specifically AFL, Cycling, Soccer and Basketball, he writes for the Hobart Chargers and is a Tour de France tragic. He still basks in the glory of his three goals in the Under 15 Premiership with Sandy Bay.
Follow him on Twitter: @mitch_fraser
