Italian striker Mario Balotelli finds himself looking for a new club once again. According to reports from Italy, Balotelli has been released by his hometown club, Brescia.
The Italian media reports that Balotelli was fired after failing to report for training ahead of Seria A restart. The 29-year-old was already on bad terms with management and coaching staff due to his previous antics that included rejecting to participate in the club’s online training.
While neither side has confirmed the news so far, Balotelli’s exit is considered to be a done deal. This was hinted by Brescia coach Diego Lopez in a recent interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“I thought as the captain of his home city’s team he would have done more,” said Lopez. “He should have and could have done more. It’s too bad. But everyone controls their own destiny. He chose one path and the team has taken a different path.”
Mario Balotelli signed with Brescia in the summer, returning to the city in which he grew up in and being presented as a star that will help the club compete in Seria A. The move was also considered beneficial for Balotelli, as he received an opportunity to regain his form after struggling for the past few seasons. Things obviously didn’t work out that way, as Balotelli is out after just 19 games and five goals.
Earlier in his career, Balotelli was considered to be one of the most talented strikers of his generation. He played with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Inter Milan and Manchester City, and was a mainstay in Italy’s national team. However, his problematic behavior, both on and off the field, didn’t allow him to reach his full potential, and he spent the past several years struggling to be an impactful player for his clubs. An unsuccessful stint in Brescia is just another proof of that, and it now remains to be seen whether Balotelli gets another chance to resurrect his career.
