Mario Balotelli

[samharris]

Said it was the most beautiful night of his life, which is a little disappointing.

The talent has never been in question, it's whether he feels motivated enough to do it on a consistent basis for us.

I can't help but think we are a stepping stone in his thinking.

He wants and needs the love of the Italian people, which is understandable, just give us everything you have got until that time.

Tbh Tolm he's 21 and just scored 2 great goals in the semi final of the Euros so I think what he said was spot on,It was beautiful for him...lots of demons were exorcised (?) for him last night.
Its up to him now to keep those demons at bay.

 

[CityPar]

I don't know why anyone is surprised or put out by his comments. He's been an Italian longer than he's been a City player, and most footballers never have the same connection to a club as it's fans. Club football is more important for us, but he's been seeking the acceptance of his own countrymen his whole life and now he may finally just have it. It's a pretty big deal.

Couldn't put it better myself. The guy is on a high and knows he finally might get some acceptance of himself back home in Italy. No wonder he thinks it was his best night. I understand and accept. Now all I want is for THAT Mario to strut his stuff at the Etihad next season.......

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Delighted for Balotelli. I just knew he was going to be one of the biggest stars of this tournament, and it's starting to pan out that way.

Whilst I take Tolm's point, I can't be upset about his comments about the best night of his life. A lot of our players, including the manager, showed their national loyalties with flags at the trophy presentation. It matters not as long as they do the business.

I'm pleased because he's shutting up a lot of the critics and showing people what ability he has. But he has to see this as his ticket to the future and stop the kid's stuff on the field.

I'd love it if he won the final for Italy. You can't help but be proud of your own. It's been great watching this tournament with so many of our players at the forefront.

 

[Feed-The-Goat]

My bet went down and i may have to pay out to a lad at work because of him now, but i dont give a shit.

I love the guy, hes fucking superb, and i hope he can play how he did last night for a big chunk of the season for us.

If he can do it, keep his head screwed on and keep away from the red cards, he can finish top scorer next year.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I don't know why anyone is surprised or put out by his comments. He's been an Italian longer than he's been a City player, and most footballers never have the same connection to a club as it's fans. Club football is more important for us, but he's been seeking the acceptance of his own countrymen his whole life and now he may finally just have it. It's a pretty big deal.

Couldn't put it better myself. The guy is on a high and knows he finally might get some acceptance of himself back home in Italy. No wonder he thinks it was his best night. I understand and accept. Now all I want is for THAT Mario to strut his stuff at the Etihad next season.......

and that is why he will finish his career in Italy. It would provide the ultimate curtain call and vindication of his life's journey.

 

[Marvin]

It was the European Championships Semi-Final in a game where the National press have been centred on Mario. Remember the "scandals" of King Kong and the Italian MPs with the Cabbages etc.

Very poor comment from blues to begrudge his best night of his life comment

 

[dennishasdoneit]

best night of his life winning a semi? after he won the league with city? seems a bit wrong to me.

Imagine being brought up as an Italian, but because of the colour of his skin many of his 'fellow countrymen' wont accept him as such......

He wears the colours of his nation, but in the past his own 'fellow countrymen' chant song from the stands that he may wear the Italian colours, but he'll never be Italian....

But if Balotelli isn't Italian, where then does he call home?

He's been fighting for acceptance since he was a child and last night was an outpouring of 21 years of emotional stress and frustration, so of course making his point by scoring the goals that secured a place in the finals for Italy and hearing his 'fellow countrymen' chearing and chanting his name was going to make last night the best night of his life.......

Most of us wont understand what racism means on a personal level unless we've lived in a country as a minority race and had to suffer the years of abuse that Balotelli has. I mean FFS wasn't it only two days ago that an Italian newspaper was depicting Mario as King Kong and even on this forum some of our fellow blues who've probably chanted Balo's name when playing for us couldn't see what was wrong with Mario being compared to an over-sized gorilla!!!

Mad Mario may be bonkers, but he's our bonkers, and lest any of us should ever wonder why at times he seems so strange, the microcosm of what's happened to him this week might go a long way to explain his sometimes erratic 'I couldn't give a fuck' behaviour........

Never judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes.

Great post.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Delighted for Balotelli. I just knew he was going to be one of the biggest stars of this tournament, and it's starting to pan out that way.

It's always nice to see someone being right about something ;-)

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

When Mario shows the kind of focus, mentality, and work rate, he showed last night on weekly basis for us he will be the best centre forward we have at the club.

I said the other week that you couldn't call him a big game player whilst he still had performances like Arsenal away in him - last night was the opposite of that match and that's the most frustrating thing with Balo. When he wants to be, he can be the best.

Agreed.

The guy is supremely talented but needs to mature to become a consistent player. Our very own rough diamond, so to speak.

I still maintain that I have never witnessed another footballer half as good as him at his age, Messi and Ronaldo aside.

We all seem to forget how young he is. Balotelli is a year younger than Tom Cleverly. He has already won 3 leagues, a Champions League, 2 Italian Cups and an FA Cup.

But Il Fenomeno was a different kettle of fish though I've often thought about the comparisons between him and Balo. I agree with the jist about people forgetting how young Balo is

What other 21 year olds have made as big an impact in an international tournament as Balo did last night?

 

[Blue Tooth]

Maybe it was his best NIGHT
He won the title with us during the DAY ;)