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Tag: Mario Balotelli

  • Eight footballers who have survived car accidents

    Eight footballers who have survived car accidents

    West Ham forward Michail Antonio was involved in a car accident on Saturday, December 7.

    The club confirmed the incident in a statement shared on its social media.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with Antonio, his friends, and family,” the club stated.

    Providing further updates, West Ham revealed that the Jamaica international is in a stable condition. 

    “Michail Antonio is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital. At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family,” the statement read.

    Antonio joined the list of footballers who have survived car crashes, a reminder of the risks athletes sometimes face off the pitch.

    Here are ten other footballers who have survived car crashes:

    1. Cristiano Ronaldo

    During his first stint at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo survived a car crash in 2009 when he smashed his Ferrari while on his way to training. Fortunately, he escaped unharmed.

    2. Mario Balotelli

    The former Italy international endured multiple car accidents. While playing for Manchester City, he crashed his Audi R8 in the city. In 2013, he was involved in another crash in Brescia but escaped injury both times.

    3. Cesc Fabregas

    While at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas crashed his Mercedes SL55 AMG while traveling to training. Thankfully, he was not injured and later assured fans of his safety via Twitter.

    4. Wayne Rooney

    Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney survived three separate car crashes involving his Aston Martin, Cadillac Escalade, and Range Rover. In each incident, he walked away without serious injury.

    5. Karim Benzema

    Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema crashed his car after an El Clasico defeat against FC Barcelona. Despite the accident, he escaped unharmed.

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    6. Anderson

    Ex-Manchester United player Anderson suffered a serious crash in 2010, leaving him unconscious after colliding in his white Audi R8 in Portugal. Fortunately, he recovered from the incident.

    7. Nicklas Bendtner

    In 2009, former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner crashed his Aston Martin and sustained minor bruises. The accident sidelined him from participating in a UEFA Champions League match for the Gunners.

    8. Arturo Vidal

    Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal was involved in a crash in 2015 when he wrecked his Ferrari in Santiago, reportedly under the influence. Vidal sustained minor bruises, had his driving licence suspended, and faced legal repercussions.

  • Balotelli makes sensational Serie A return with Genoa

    Balotelli makes sensational Serie A return with Genoa

    Mario Balotelli has officially sealed his ‘dream’ return to Serie A, as he has signed a short-term deal with Alberto Gilardino’s Genoa until the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

    Balotelli has officially put pen to paper on a deal until the end of June, 2025. It is expected that he will take home around €400,000 in wages, with bonuses included. The former Italy international had his medicals in the city on Monday morning.

    Genoa made use of his ‘Super Mario’ nickname while announcing his signing on social media.

    The former Inter, Man City, Liverpool and Milan striker has been a free agent since the start of the summer, when he left Turkish Super Lig outfit Adana Dermirspor at the end of his contract.

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    His final game in Turkey ended in spectacular fashion, as he was shown a 39th minute red card for an off-the-ball incident while wearing the captain’s armband.

    Balotelli said in a recent interview that he had rejected lucrative offers from abroad over the summer as he was willing to hold out from offers from Serie A.

    Genoa will be the first Serie A club that Balotelli has represented since his stint with Brescia in 2019-20, where he scored five goals from 19 appearances. He also had a spell with Monza the year after, also scoring five league goals, although they came in Serie B.

  • Mario Balotelli set for Mega euro move to Brescia Calcio

     

    Mario Balotelli is on the verge of sealing multi-million euros contract with Italia Seria A side Brescia.

    Fillers from the Italian capital indicate that it would be a matter of hours before the deal is officially announced. The deal it was further gathered should have come earlier but for insistence of Club President Massimo Cellino that the deal should not be announced earlier than August 18

    SuperMario’s contract will be for three years, but broken down in a certain way. The club’s permanence in Serie A will play a decisive role in him staying long term. In fact, if they are relegated after this season Balotelli could break free.

    Zooms past a challenger on one of his outings for Marseille

    His contract will see him get paid 3 million euros gross in his first season, and in the event of salvation he will be paid another 3 million (still gross) for the second season. At that point a two year contract would kick in, where Mario can earn 6 million gross in the 3rd season, which would be about 4.5 million net.

    “The why always me” exponent who has played for Manchester City, Liverpool and Inter and AC  Milan among other clubs, joined current club Marseille early this year after terminating his contract with Nice.

    He has so far netted 8 goals for the side in 12 appearances.

     

     

  • Its good bye to hanky-panky declares Balotelli

     

    Mario Balotelli of the ‘Why Always Me’ fame has told whoever cares to listen that old things have passed away and that he has become a new improved and matured fellow that can be relied upon. He made the submission after he was left out of the Azzuris friendly with the Three Lions of England that ended 1-1 at the Wimbley on Tuesday.

    Balotelli has admitted he was surprised he did not get a call-up to the Italy squad and assured whoever will be taking over the job permanently that he’s ‘matured’.

    The Nice striker was overlooked for Italy’s recent friendlies against Argentina and England over the international break with caretaker boss Luigi Di Biagio preferring the options of Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti and Patrick Cutrone.

    Balotelli was left feeling slightly disgruntled after being left out of the squad, having felt he had done enough to earn a recall following an impressive season that has seen him hit the target 22 times in 31 matches.

    ‘If I’m honest: I expected to be back in Azzurro (Italian national team),’ he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

    ‘I’ve matured, I’m 27 and I have two children. The time for [messing around with] girls has long gone.’Italy, France or England? I’m someone who lives on edge.’

    The 27-year-old’s omission from the latest Italy squad caused quite a stir with his agent Mino Raiola said to be livid about the decision.

    He has not represented his country since the 2014 World Cup despite also enjoying a goal-glut season last term.

    The Nice forward insisted he has ‘matured’ and is ready to return after the latest snub

    Di Biagio has been made favourite to take the Italy job on a permanent basis and insisted the door is still open for Balotelli.

    He recently said: ‘Numbers and goals are important for forwards but they have to be linked to a certain type of performance.

    ‘I have looked, judged and decided. I will continue to follow him and we will see what he does in the next few months.’

    The former Manchester City and Liverpool attacker has scored 13 goals in 33 caps for his country.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Balotelli lampoons Iwobi over anti-immigration stand

    Balotelli lampoons Iwobi over anti-immigration stand

     

    Mario Balotelli has lampooned Nigerian born Italy’s first black Senator Tony Iwobi for standing in the Italian elections for far-right anti-immigrant league party.

    The Nigerian is counting his blessings after emerging as Senator elect from the Northern Industrial City of Brescia considered a major immigration hub in Italy, but Balotteli of the “Why Always Me” fame is not amused at all taking to his instagram to give the Nigerian born senator a piece of his mind.

    ‘Maybe I’m blind or maybe they haven’t told him that he’s black yet. Disgrace!’  Balotelli wrote on Tuesday in a post that was subsequently removed.

    Balotelli, who was born in Palermo to Ghanaian parents and has played 33 times for Italy, has long been a target for racist abuse.

    Iwobi has long argued along with League leader Matteo Salvini that increased racism in Italy should be blamed on illegal immigration.

    Balotelli posted a photo showing Iwobi, 60, and Salvini both wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the campaign slogan ‘Stop invasion’.

    The slogan is reference to the more than 690,000 migrants who have landed on Italian shores from North Africa since 2013.

    The League blames the arrivals for ‘social conflict’ and making Italian cities less safe.

    Born in Gusau in northern Nigeria but living in Italy since the 1970s, Iwobi has been a supporter of the League for more than two decades.

    But the Senator in a swift reaction advised the former Manchester City and Liverpools ace to concentrate on his own area of calling.

    ‘I’m not interested in what Balotelli thinks,’ Iwobi said in response. ‘He’s a great footballer; I hope he sticks to doing what he’s good at.

    Meanwhile, Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement reached out to leftist parties on Wednesday in a bid to end the stalemate from a general election, even as a rightwing alliance lobbied for its right to rule.

     

  • Balotelli worth €100m, set for England return

    Balotelli worth €100m, set for England return

     

    Mario Balotelli is worth €100million and is set to return to Italy or England, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

    The 27-year-old forward is out of contract at Nice at the end of the season, having scored 21 goals in 29 games in all competitions this campaign.

    Balotelli has enjoyed two strong seasons at the Ligue 1 club, but appears set to return to the Serie A or the Premier League.

    Raiola confirmed he had spoken to several clubs about Balotelli, however, he ruled out a return to AC Milan for the 33-time Italy international.

    “Mario is ready to come back to Italy. He is one of the 10 best strikers in the world, and the number one in Italy,” he told RAI.

    “He is worth €100m but he is a free agent so he is a bargain.

    “I’m already negotiating with many teams in England and Italy. I talked with Juventus, Roma, Napoli, Inter.

    “AC Milan? No, because there is [sporting director Massimiliano] Mirabelli and I can’t talk with him, I’m not at his level.”

    Balotelli played for Inter and Milan in the Serie A and Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League prior to his move to Nice. He has scored 13 goals in 19 Ligue 1 outings this season, after finding the back of the net 15 times in 23 games last term.

    It is the first time he has gone into double figures in consecutive seasons since netting 12 and 14 for Milan in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns.

    In 2012, Balotelli featured in GQ magazine, where he was named the second-best dressed man in the world behind British musician Tinie Tempah.

    Balotelli also appeared on the cover of the November 2012 edition of Time Magazine.

    Balotelli is a fan of mixed martial arts, as he has stated in the past that he would love to compete in the sport professionally if he were not a footballer.

  • Balotelli’s Nigerian friend, Ogunbayo stabbed to death

    Balotelli’s Nigerian friend, Ogunbayo stabbed to death

     

    Twenty-nine year old  Nigerian, Mayowa Ogunbayo , a friend of Italian striker, Mario  Balotelli has been found dead in his luxurious apartment in  West London which he shared with his fiancée, in the early hours of Friday morning.

    According to reports on the  mirror, he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 3am, while a post-mortem examination found the cause of death was a stab wound to the heart.

    Detectives have launched a murder investigation, but police say they are treating the 29-year-old’s death as “unexplained” at this time.

    Ogunbayo, a University of Kent graduate who  was also known as Johnny John seems to love the good things of life as can be seen on the pictures he posted on his Facebook  page.

  • Balotelli in special pose with second son Lion

    Balotelli in special pose with second son Lion

     

    Mario Balotelli has welcomed the birth of his second son, Lion, with a photograph posted in the build-up to Nice’s Europa League clash with Lazio this week.

    Reports in Italy last month claimed the former Liverpool and Manchester City striker’s girlfriend Clelia had given birth to a baby boy named Lion, in Zurich.

    And now Balotelli, 27, has posed with his second child for the first time to confirm the news. Lion, at almost three weeks old, is a brother to the forward’s four-year-old daughter Pia.

    Balotelli had previously kept quiet about the pregnancy, although he did take to Instagram in September to share a snapshot of a pregnant woman’s belly, alongside the simple caption: ‘Loading’.

    On this occasion, his post read: ‘Good night #Father&Son’.

    The eccentric striker, whose nomadic career has taken him through Italy, England and France, recently claimed to have matured after the controversies that plagued his early career.

    He said: ‘I haven’t changed. I’ve matured, I’m growing. I’m not 17 anymore, with experience you grow.

    ‘I’m not one of the best in the world and I’m not one of the worst in the world. I’m only myself, like always.’

    Super Mario has been loved up with girlfriend Clelia and reports in Italy claimed she gave birth to his son named Lion in Zurich last month.
    The 27-year-old has now released the first image of himself and Lion, who is now three weeks old.
    Balotelli also has a four-year-old daughter named Pia with former girlfriend Raffaella Fico.
    The Italian has been in great form for Les Aiglons, who have helped to revitalise his career.
    After hitting 15 league goals last term, Balotelli has five in five to start this campaign, despite the team struggling in the bottom half of the table.
    It’s a different story in the Europa League though as Nice sit joint-top with Lazio after two games on six points in Group K.
    Victory at the Allianz Riviera will all but confirm their place in the knock-out stages of the competition.
    While Balotelli will hope to continue his prolific form to convince Giampiero Ventura to consider him for an Azzurri recall ahead of the World Cup.

    Nice host Lazio on Thursday night in the Europa League with both sides on six points after winning their opening games against Vitesse Arnhem and Zulte Waregem.
    In 2012, Balotelli featured in GQ, where he was named the second-best dressed man in the world behind British musician Tinie Tempah. Balotelli also appeared on the cover of the November 2012 edition of Time Magazine.
    Balotelli is a fan of mixed martial arts, as he has stated in the past that he would love to compete in the sport professionally if he were not a footballer
    In January 2013, Balotelli’s net worth was estimated to be US$40 million,up from US$25 million in January 2012.

  • Mario Balotelli unveils life-size statue

    Mario Balotelli unveils life-size statue

     

    Floyd Mayweather may have millions in the bank, a fleet of luxury cars and his own private jet but there’s one thing he almost certainly doesn’t possess – a life-size statue of Mario Balotelli flexing his muscles.

    Mayweather took to social media on Wednesday night to issue a video challenge, urging people to ‘show the lifestyle you’re living’ – just hours after confirming his mega-fight against Conor McGregor.

    People around the world have responded to the challenge, although some appear to take it a little less seriously than others.

    Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Balotelli, who now plays his club football with Nice in Ligue 1, responded in his own unique style on Thursday by showing off a life-size statue he owns of himself.

    Balotelli asked the question, ‘Seriously Floyd, do you have this in your house?’, before turning the camera to face the statue, which shows the striker famously tensing his muscles after scoring against Germany in the semi-final of Euro 2012.

    He then appears to test a lift in his house, before once again asking the same question.

    Balotelli uploaded the video onto his Instagram account, alongside the caption: ‘No one take it personally I’m only joking!’

    The controversial striker enjoyed resurgence in form with Nice last season – scoring 17 goals in 28 games as the French club qualified for the Champions League.

  • Balotelli scores his 10th goal of the season

    Balotelli scores his 10th goal of the season

     

    Mario Balotelli struck his 10th league goal of the season to lead the fightback as French title contenders Nice drew at home with Caen 2-2 on Friday.

    With Nice trailing 2-0 with 20 minutes left, Balotelli ended a four-game goal drought with a close-range finish from defender Dante’s headed pass.

    Seven minutes later, substitute Anastasios Donis – on loan this season from Italian champions Juventus – netted the equalizer when his shot hit the right post and the left before rolling over the line

    Nice have been the surprise of the season and moved up to second place, one point above defending champion Paris Saint-Germain and two behind leaders Monaco heading into this weekend’s games.

    Coach Lucien Favre was delighted with the response from his players, but warned them to be more focused.

    ‘We never give up, because we keep playing and we believe,’ Favre said. ‘We sometimes forget how to play. You should attack but also defend.’

    Balotelli hit the target early into the game with a stinging half-volley from 25 meters out but was then quiet until his goal. By the end, he was strolling around and this prompted Favre to yell at him from the sidelines

    Caen hit the home side on the break when striker Ivan Santini jumped above Dante to firmly head in Vincent Bessat’s looping cross from the left for his 12th league goal.

    Shortly after halftime, forward Yann Karamoh netted his sixth to make it 2-0.

    Le Bihan galvanized Nice when he came off the bench in the 56th to replace midfielder Wylan Cyprien, who went off injured.

    Cyprien has been one of Nice’s best players this season and his absence will be a blow.

    ‘I’m not a doctor, but it’s the knee and that’s never very good news,’ Favre said. ‘We need to see the (medical) results.’

    Elsewhere on Friday night, Marseille beat Angers 3-0.