In the early morning of May 29, Italy won 2-1 against Saudi Arabia in an international friendly match before the 2018 World Cup. Of the two goals of the army, Mario Balotelli contributed the opening goal. This was the 27-year-old striker's first goal for Azzuri since 2014.
It took him 4 years and a period of traveling from England to France to "really break the dead" to be recognized for his efforts to maturity. Having bowed his head to leave Liverpool and start over at Nice, Balotelli has risen to fame again, becoming an indispensable factor in the Nice squad.
Last season, this small club became a "dark horse", competing fairly for the throne with PSG and AS Monaco in League 1. At one point, they led the rankings with a series of consecutive victories. Balotelli was then likened to a Savior, bringing unmatched strength to Nice in the land of beauty.
Scoring, sometimes not forgetting to... receive a red card. Balotelli is still like that, still individual but more conquering, knowing how to look at life through the eyes of a 27-year-old man. Then when he was called back to the Italian national team, he was no longer too arrogant after scoring (as he celebrated against Germany at EURO 2012).
"I know it's too late to say this, when he's no longer around. But I'm sure my father and I up there are watching us play football. This goal, although not meaningful, I want to give it to him, Davide Astori," Balotelli dedicated the goal against Saudi Arabia for the late Fiorentina captain.
In the context of the Azzuri attack not having many talents, the Nice striker has taken on a lot of responsibility from now on. From a person who was not trusted for his "prisoning" behavior, Balotelli gradually matured over time. Although late, at the age of 27, he knows what to do.
"I'm 27 years old and have 2 children, how can I waste time," Mario Balotelli.
