Can coming home to Brescia revive Mario Balotelli’s career?

While growing up, it was difficult for Mario Balotelli as his parents were unable to provide the needs to their child. He was born in Palermo, Sicily, and when the Italian striker turned three, he was placed in foster care to the Balotelli family when his own family was unable to pay for his health care.  His foster parents lived in Concesio, Brescia, and when he turned 18 years old, he was able to apply for Italian Citizenship. On August 13, 2008, the Italian officially gained citizenship in Concesio.

While growing up hasn’t been easy for the Italian, neither has been his playing career. The forward’s playing career has been a roller coaster ride and he has seen good and bad, however, has been unable to show consistency due to his maturity level. Balotelli didn’t become familiar to fans until he arrived to Inter Milan in 2006, after an unsuccessful stint with FC Barcelona at the age of 15. In his time with Inter, the striker scored 28 goals in all competitions with the Italian club.

In his first season with the club, he had a productive season in which one notable goal came and he became the youngest player for Inter to score in a Champions League game. At 18 years old, the Italian scored in a 3-3 draw against Anorthosis Famagusta FC. His hard work in his first season gained attention to earn a spot with the Italian National Squad. 

While his first season with the club was productive and successful, his second season under coach Jose Mourinho wasn’t the same. Under his time with the Portuguese coach, he was labeled as a player who didn’t try in practice and his work ethic could have been better. The tension between the player and coach grew throughout the season until Mourinho decided to exclude Mario Balotelli from the first team in the second half of the season.