Mario Balotelli is set to embark on a new chapter in his unconventional career, having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Ittifaq, a club in the United Arab Emirates. The experienced Italian striker’s latest move adds to his journey through various footballing landscapes.
Al Ittifaq, based in Dubai, currently competes in the UAE’s second division and sits at the bottom of the league standings. This marks the 14th club for Balotelli in his footballing career.
After being a free agent since summer, Balotelli has not participated in competitive matches since December 2024, following an underwhelming period with Genoa in Italy, where he made only six league appearances, all as a substitute.
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The often-controversial forward has struggled to find stability since his departure from Liverpool in 2015, moving between clubs in various countries including France, Italy, Turkey, and Switzerland. Yet, he has yet to recapture the remarkable form that earned him a Premier League title with Manchester City, 36 caps for the Italy national team, and a nomination for the 2012 Ballon d’Or.
Despite the ups and downs, his memorable antics and mischief are what initially captivated fans.
The Cars
Mario Balotelli And His Camouflage Bentley #mariobalotelli #ACMilan #Footballer #Bentley #footballercars pic.twitter.com/zTUo8pz1or
Balotelli has owned numerous luxury supercars, but perhaps none is as memorable as the camouflaged Bentley he famously drove to training in 2011.
The Cold Shoulder
One of Balotelli’s iconic moments came during a 2011 match against Norwich City, where he scored a goal with a remarkably casual finish, nudging the ball over the line with just a shrug of his shoulders.
The Dart ‘Prank’
In March 2011, City launched an investigation into a “prank” involving Balotelli, who was reported to be throwing darts out of an upstairs window aimed at youth team players. Fortunately, no one was harmed.
The Preseason Trick Shot
Balotelli’s antics got him substituted just 30 minutes into a preseason friendly against LA Galaxy in 2011 after he infuriated coach Roberto Mancini with a failed trick shot.
The Fireworks
On the eve of a Manchester derby, Balotelli hosted a festive fireworks display in his house that earned him a visit from the fire brigade after alarms were triggered. This incident led him to be assigned the role of the club’s fireworks safety ambassador.
The T-Shirt
In yet another memorable derby match against Manchester United, Balotelli scored twice, leading to one of the most famous goal celebrations in Premier League history, famously asking, “Why always me?”
The Pet Pig
In 2014, Balotelli made headlines by adopting a pet micro pig named Super, adding yet another layer to his eccentric lifestyle.
The Statue
Seven years ago, we witnessed Mario Balotelli’s unforgettable goal celebration in the Euro semifinals. pic.twitter.com/JWVgsDQlcV
Balotelli even ventured into art, commissioning a large bronze statue of himself to commemorate his iconic “Power Flex” pose after scoring for Italy against Germany in the semifinals of Euro 2012. The statue, however, never came to fruition.
The Selfie Celebration
Mario Balotelli’s goal celebration is truly unique! 😂 pic.twitter.com/uxgIJVS7dB
Not one to shy away from flamboyant celebrations, Balotelli went viral again in 2019 when he scored for Marseille against Saint-Étienne and celebrated by taking a selfie with fans.
The Pasta Incident
After leaving Liverpool, Balotelli quickly found form at Nice, but amusing stories of his past continued to surface. In 2016, former Italy U21 teammate Salvatore Bocchetti recounted an incident where Balotelli threw a plate of pasta at Marco Motta during a team meal, calling him “a good player but crazy!”
The Puskas Nomination
Beyond his Ballon d’Or nomination, Balotelli also received a Puskas Award nomination for a remarkable rabona goal scored for Adana Demirspor in 2022, finishing fourth in the competition.
The Fireworks (Part II)
Mario Balotelli tossing mini fireworks in the Adana Demirspor locker room 😂🧨pic.twitter.com/jR4nE4pcHd
Despite his previous experiences, Balotelli managed to stir up trouble once again by throwing lit firecrackers around the dressing room of Adana Demirspor.
The Haircuts
Over the years, Balotelli has sported a range of unique hairstyles, with one of the most memorable being the vividly tinted warrior braid style he debuted in 2019, complete with numerous delicate silver earrings.