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It is hard to think of many people in
the history of English sport whose habits, personality and behaviour are
more extreme even than the caricature of them developed by the media.
George Best may fall into that category; John McEnroe also. Most certainly, Mario Balotelli does.
Balotelli leaves Manchester City this week without us really knowing him. Certainly we do not know him as a footballer. Rarely, if ever, did we see the young genius people talked about when he arrived in August 2010.
What we did hear and see was rarely
about the football. Ultimately, that is why City manager Roberto Mancini
— his single biggest champion for most of the striker’s two-and-a-half
years here — has sanctioned his sale this week.George Best may fall into that category; John McEnroe also. Most certainly, Mario Balotelli does.
Balotelli leaves Manchester City this week without us really knowing him. Certainly we do not know him as a footballer. Rarely, if ever, did we see the young genius people talked about when he arrived in August 2010.
Changing faces: Mario Balotelli has always courted controversy, or a few laughs at Manchester City
Sadly, Balotelli’s life in Manchester was full of more unhappiness, loneliness and irrationality than reached the TV screens or the pages of the newspapers. City’s efforts to integrate him could not have been more comprehensive or indeed more futile.
He leaves simply as one troubled young sportsman who just could not be helped.
In the early days, Mancini thought he could fix Balotelli on his own. He afforded him special privileges, overlooking some of his smaller misdemeanours. And, sensing his young protege’s loneliness in his Manchester flat, he used to send his son Andrea to entice Balotelli into the first team’s social circle. It did not work.
Now you see him, now you don't: Balotelli shows off his camouflaged Bentley and quad bike
Later on, when Balotelli did develop a
social life in the north-west, it involved the wrong people and the
wrong places at the wrong hour.
Over time, life coaches, City’s own player-support staff and even the club chaplain devoted an increasing number of hours to what some at the Etihad Stadium called ‘the Balotelli project’. However, it has been clear to all but the most blinkered that the battle was lost some time ago.
Mancini feels disappointed, both in Balotelli and himself. The City boss is as hard on himself as he is on his players and feels he has failed. His staff, though, feared the worst within weeks of Balotelli arriving and told Mancini so.
‘I have never known anyone like him in all my years in the game,’ said one at the time. ‘He is impossible to handle.’
Over time, life coaches, City’s own player-support staff and even the club chaplain devoted an increasing number of hours to what some at the Etihad Stadium called ‘the Balotelli project’. However, it has been clear to all but the most blinkered that the battle was lost some time ago.
Mancini feels disappointed, both in Balotelli and himself. The City boss is as hard on himself as he is on his players and feels he has failed. His staff, though, feared the worst within weeks of Balotelli arriving and told Mancini so.
‘I have never known anyone like him in all my years in the game,’ said one at the time. ‘He is impossible to handle.’
Bust-up: Balotelli was involved in a furious shoving match with Roberto Mancini at training earlier this month
On the training field, Balotelli would
react in one of two ways to his own mistakes. He would either feign
injury — often simply falling to the floor — or take out his
embarrassment on other players. Usually verbally, occasionally
physically.
Mancini’s staff identified this not as a symptom of malice but, more worryingly, of mental weakness.
Away from the club he would isolate himself. On away trips he would remain in his hotel room and request room service. On other occasions, he would seek stimulation away from the hotel when he knew he was not supposed to.
Mancini’s staff identified this not as a symptom of malice but, more worryingly, of mental weakness.
Away from the club he would isolate himself. On away trips he would remain in his hotel room and request room service. On other occasions, he would seek stimulation away from the hotel when he knew he was not supposed to.
Down to a T: Balotelli celebrates scoring his first goal at Old Trafford in October 2011 (left)
Balotelli smoking a cigarette and in his famous chicken hat
Among his team-mates, Balotelli was
not unpopular. Many indulged him. During a recent community event at the
Etihad, Balotelli’s boredom as he waited for the arrival of a group of
underprivileged children threatened to spiral out of control until
another senior player let him use his iPad.
‘It’s like having your kid brother with you,’ said the player, with a smile that portrayed something close to affection.
Two hours later, after Balotelli had charmed his young visitors, he roared off in his camouflage Bentley, having forgotten he had promised Micah Richards a lift home. It was minus one outside and the injured Richards was on crutches. ‘I should have known that would happen,’ shrugged the defender.
‘It’s like having your kid brother with you,’ said the player, with a smile that portrayed something close to affection.
Two hours later, after Balotelli had charmed his young visitors, he roared off in his camouflage Bentley, having forgotten he had promised Micah Richards a lift home. It was minus one outside and the injured Richards was on crutches. ‘I should have known that would happen,’ shrugged the defender.
Balotelli’s love of cars is well known
and one story provides insight into his peculiar mind. Fed up of
being followed by photographers, he was advised to change his
distinctive car. On arrival at the showroom, however, he was about to
choose an almost identical model until someone reminded him why he was
there.
On the field, Balotelli did have his moments. Goals against Manchester United and Norwich (off his shoulder) stand out. He was also a consummate penalty taker.
Reaction among senior staff at City to his starring role in Euro 2012 was telling, though. ‘He will be just the same when he gets back here,’ said one. Sadly, those words turned out to be prophetic. This season, Balotelli’s contribution at City has been negligible.
As he became more desperate for a solution, Mancini’s treatment of Balotelli became more irrational. The problem was affecting both men, hence Mancini acquiescing to his staff’s desire to get rid of the striker even before he grappled with him earlier this month.
On the field, Balotelli did have his moments. Goals against Manchester United and Norwich (off his shoulder) stand out. He was also a consummate penalty taker.
Reaction among senior staff at City to his starring role in Euro 2012 was telling, though. ‘He will be just the same when he gets back here,’ said one. Sadly, those words turned out to be prophetic. This season, Balotelli’s contribution at City has been negligible.
As he became more desperate for a solution, Mancini’s treatment of Balotelli became more irrational. The problem was affecting both men, hence Mancini acquiescing to his staff’s desire to get rid of the striker even before he grappled with him earlier this month.
Balotelli was involved in a car crash in Manchester just weeks after signing for City in August 2010
In a tangle: The Italian struggled to put his bib on before a Europa League clash with Dynamo Kiev
In Manchester, he will be missed. Neighbours at his original city centre flat left wine on his doorstep at Christmas. They liked him.
It is a sign of our times, though, that a footballer who contributed so little to our game should reach such heights of notoriety. Many will blame the media and we certainly played our part. We gobbled it up but were spoon-fed so often it was hard not to.
Balotelli, remember, arrived here with his old Inter manager Jose Mourinho labelling him ‘unmanageable’.
He leaves with that reputation firmly intact.
MEANWHILE, ON THE PITCH...
Up and down: In his third Premier League game
for City, Balotelli scored his first two goals for the club before
getting sent off for a challenge on West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu in
November 2010
Again: The volatile Italian was sent off in a 1-1 draw at Anfield a year later
Nasty: Balotelli was given a retrospective four-game ban for this stamp on Scott Parker in January 2012
Repeat: Balotelli's second red card of City's
title-winning season, and his fourth in all competitions since joining
the club, came at the Emirates in April 2012
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