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Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mario Balotelli is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker. Born in Palermo in 1990, he became known for his time with clubs including Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, and Liverpool, as well as with the Italy national team. He won major honours with Inter, including Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League, and later won the Premier League with Manchester City.

Early life and background

Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo, Italy, on 12 August 1990. He has Ghanaian origins and was raised in northern Italy from a young age.

Club career

Balotelli began his professional career with Lumezzane before moving to Inter Milan in 2007. At Inter, he won Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League. He later played for Manchester City, where he won the Premier League in 2011–12. His career also included spells at AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice, Marseille, Brescia, Monza, Adana Demirspor, Sion, and Genoa.

International career

Balotelli made his debut for the Italy national football team in 2010. He was part of the squad that finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 2012.

Playing style and reputation

Balotelli is known as a powerful striker with strong finishing ability. His career has also attracted public attention due to disciplinary issues and controversial moments.

Key facts

  • He began his professional career with Lumezzane before moving to Inter Milan in 2007.
  • He won major honours with Inter, including Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League.
  • He later played for Manchester City, where he won the Premier League in 2011–12.
  • He represented Italy internationally and was part of the squad that finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 2012.
  • He has also played for clubs in France, Turkey, Switzerland, and Italy later in his career.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mario Balotelli?
Mario Balotelli is an Italian professional football striker known for playing for Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, Liverpool, and the Italy national team.
When was Mario Balotelli born?
He was born on 12 August 1990.
Where was Mario Balotelli born?
He was born in Palermo, Italy.
What position does Mario Balotelli play?
He plays as a striker, or forward.
Which clubs is Mario Balotelli most associated with?
He is most associated with Inter Milan and Manchester City, and he also played for AC Milan and Liverpool.
Has Mario Balotelli played for Italy?
Yes. He has represented Italy internationally, including at UEFA Euro 2012.

References

  1. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/bio/_/id/100681/mario-balotelli
    Supports: Date of birth, nationality, position, and club/player identification.
  2. Treccani — https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/mario-balotelli/
    Supports: Birth place, early life background, youth career, club career, and international career.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Balotelli
    Supports: Career timeline, clubs, and early professional debut.
  4. Sky Sports — https://www.skysports.com/mario-balotelli
    Supports: Player profile, position, and transfer history.