There is no doubt in my mind as I write this article that Mario Balotelli is one of the most interesting and enigmatic footballers alive. Balotelli’s bizarre and unorthodox actions both on and off the pitch have played significant roles in making him the subject of numerous newspaper stories. In this article we shall take a look at some very interesting things about Mario Balotelli that you probably never knew.
You know that Balotelli is an Italian footballer who presently plays for the English Premier League club Liverpool, but for example did you know that Balotelli’s full name is Mario Barwuah Balotelli and that his fans in Europe have nicknamed him Super Mario? Believe me it gets more interesting than that when you read some more facts about Balotelli!
Interesting things about Balotelli
- Contrary to popular belief, Balotelli was not born in Ghana. He was actually born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy to Ghanaian immigrants and named Mario Barwuah. Although both his biological parents are Ghanaians, Balotelli isn’t.
- At the young age of three, Balotelli’s parents could not afford to take care of him any longer so they gave him up to a foster family called the Balotellis who lived in Brescia in the northern part of Italy. Balotelli got his surname “Balotelli” from his foster parents.
- Since Balotelli was not adopted by his Italian foster parents, he had to wait until he was 18 years old before he was able become an Italian citizen. This was on 13 August 2008.
- Balotelli has three siblings (biological siblings). His biological brother Enoch Barwuah, who is two years Balotell’s junior, is also a professional footballer.
- In November 2008, while playing for Inter Milan, Balotelli became the youngest player to score a goal in the Champions League. Balotelli was just 18 years and 85 days old.
- Balotelli is said to be one of the most undisciplined players in world football. His former manager Jose Mourinho once described Balotelli as an “unmanageable” player. Despite his indiscipline, he is however, a very promising player and considered by pundits of the game to be one of the best penalty kick takers in the world.
- During the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament in Ukraine and Poland, when people expressed fears about the state of severe racism in Ukraine and Poland, Balotelli told the press that he would kill any racist in Ukraine or Poland that threw a banana on him. Fortunately no one racially abused him or threw a banana at him throughout the tournament.
- Balotelli probably has dealings with Mafia mobsters, considering the fact that in 2010 he was seen in a picture with some notorious Mafia mobsters.
- The famous song entitled “Mario Balotelli” by Tinchy Stryder was recorded in honor of Balotelli.
- Balotelli once set his house on fire after he let off a firework in his bathroom.
- Balotelli is considered a legend in many parts of England and actually has a cult following – especially in Greater Manchester.
- Balotelli is an avid prankster. He is known for playing strange pranks wherever he finds himself.
- Balotelli is known to carry huge sums of money on him wherever he goes. For example, Balotelli was once involved in a car crash while playing for Manchester City. When police arrived at the scene of the accident, they found Balotelli in possession of £5,000 in cash. The police, who apparently did not know who he was, reportedly asked him why he was in possession of such an amount of money. In response to the question the police asked him, Balotelli said he carried large sums of money on him because he is rich.
- Many of Balotelli’s actions have gone to show that he just might not be a very intelligent person after all. For example, in 2011 during a game between his team Manchester City and Dynamo Kiev, Balotelli was caught on camera finding it difficult doing something as simple as putting on a training bib. For a good amount of time, Balotelli tried again and again to put on the training bib to no avail until someone came to his aid and helped him put on the bib.
- Balotelli is presently a practicing Buddhist.
- According to Balotelli he no longer drinks alcohol. His decision to stay away from alcoholic beverages is as a result of his new found faith in Buddhism.
- Balotelli loves cars. He owns a fleet of expensive cars such as Bentley Continental GT, Audi R8 V10, Range Rover Evoque, among several other very expensive and classy cars.
- Balotelli told fans that he loves mixed martial arts and that had he not been working as a professional footballer, he would be a professional mixed martial artist.
- Balotelli is a father. He has a daughter named Pia with his former model girlfriend Raffaella Fico. Fico gave birth to Balotelli’s daughter on December 5, 2012.
- Balotelli is a millionaire. His present net worth is about US$40 million.
There we are with some 20 interesting things about Mario Balotelli.
