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Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is a man worth paying to see. Off the field his actions are the stuff of legend and on the field he already is a legend! In The Stands’ Rolly Pelovangu looks back at 5 of the Italian’s finest strikes.
Mario Balotelli Goal vs Rubin Kazan, 2009 UEFA Champions League
Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan were making a mess of qualification from their UEFA Champions League group consisting of holders Barcelona, Russian champions Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev.
Passage into the last 16 depended on a win over Rubin Kazan at the San Siro on Matchday 6 and ‘the Special One’ took a gamble by starting Mario Balotelli upfront with Samuel Eto’o. Alas, it proved to be a masterstroke as the Italian put in a superb performance to set up Eto’o for the opener, before smashing home a stunning freekick which swerved so much that the Rubin Kazan goalkeeper must have thought God was playing tricks on him.
Mario Balotelli Goal vs Poland, 2011
‘A black Italian does not exist.’ That was what bitter Juventus fans had sung to Mario Balotelli just a couple of years earlier as the Palermo-born ace was scoring goals against them and vying for a place in the Azzurri squad.
Having finally got his chance thanks to new Italian coach Cesare Prandelli, ‘Super Mario’ emphatically seized his opportunity to impress as he curled home a 35-yard beauty on his debut against Poland.
With that goal, a place in Italy’s Euro 2012 squad looks almost certain.
Mario Balotelli Goal vs Manchester United, 2011
A goal which will live long in Manchester City’s history. Not necessarily because it was aesthetically oustanding (although it was brilliant in itself), rather because of the celebration which followed afterwards.
After garnering much negative headlines and unsavoury comments from that great Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, Mario Balotelli shut Old Trafford up before unveiling the infamous ‘Why Always Me?’ T-shirt celebration in Eric Cantona-esque fashion.
Mario Balotelli Shoulder Goal vs Norwich City, 2011
Balotelli: “Gaffer, (Roberto Mancini) why am I starting on the bench today?”
Mancini: “For the 15th time, you are on the bench today because I want you to rest Mario. You need to rest.”
Balotelli: “But we are playing Norwich City not f****** Barcelona! I can score against that shit defence with my shoulder. Bring me on now…mama mia!”
Mancini: “So you think you can score with your shoulder yeah? Ok, I bet £1million that you can’t you arrogant tosser.”
Several minutes later Balotelli comes on and…scores with his shoulder.
Mancini: “Oh crap! Somebody tell my wife that we are on the verge of bankruptcy!”
Mario Balotelli ‘Backheel’ Attempt
Ok not so much a goal as an attempt, but Balotelli’s attempted ‘backheel goal’ during Manchester City’s pre-season match with the LA Galaxy would, could and maybe should have been great…if he was not flagged for offside and at the same time cheeky enough to insult and mock the opposition with a daring piece of arrogance and cockiness.
Balotelli was duly subbed by coach Roberto Mancini who castrated the young Italian like an angry father who has just found out his son has crashed his Audi R8. Bless him!
Be sure to get your very own Mario Balotelli ‘Why Always Me?’ T-Shirt with In The Stands!
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