Mario eyes Azzurri future - TalkSoccer

**dukeofdavinci** · 18-02-2008, 01:48 PM

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Mario eyes Azzurri future Monday 18 February, 2008

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Inter’s teenage striking sensation Mario Balotelli has snubbed Ghana’s advances to represent Italy.

Balotelli was born in Palermo, but both his parents are Ghanaian citizens. When he turns 18 in August, the Nerazzurri prodigy will be able to choose to adopt Italian citizenship as he has lived his whole life in the peninsula.

It now seems that Super Mario will opt to pursue a career in the Azzurri shirt after he rejected the chance to represent Ghana.

“The Black Stars asked Mario to accept a call-up to the national side, where he would have been a first-choice, but he declined,” Balotelli’s brother Corrado revealed in the Guerin Sportivo.

“He just didn’t want to lose the chance to play for Italy in the future.”

Corrado acts as an agent to his gifted sibling and also outlined the latest contract situation, as reports suggest that a large extension is on the horizon.

“For now there is nothing on the table,” he explained. “I have heard that we will be signing a renewal until 2013, but we think we will talk about it further when Mario is legally an adult and can get his Italian citizenship.”

hmm interesting, its more of a question does figc want him rather then he wants to represent us.

**D-Kin** · 18-02-2008, 01:50 PM

He's a beast, of course we want him.

Give him a few years and I can see him being in contention.

**dukeofdavinci** · 18-02-2008, 03:14 PM

well on the other hand we have ghanna to content wth if we do want him.i reckon they will not let him that easily

**Jager** · 19-02-2008, 07:05 AM

No let him that easiy?

He has stated numerous times in the last few years that he has no intention of playing for Ghana, and wants to play for Italy. And he will play for Italy, as he will be completely different from any of current strikers.

As soon as August comes around, he will play for U21 side, there is no doubt in my mind.

He is born in Italy, he has taken on an Italian name, he rejected Barca to play for Inter, and he gets along with Mancini.

I see no reason that he won't be picked soon, as soon as he gets his papers, but in Italy he has to play for the junior teams, and I don't see that being a problem, as he knows he has a lot to learn.

**dukeofdavinci** · 19-02-2008, 11:20 AM

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He is born in Italy

ok that i didnt know.well it all but seals his azzuri future ehh...

**dukeofdavinci** · 13-08-2008, 11:02 AM

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Super Mario enters Azzurri frame Wednesday 13 August, 2008

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Inter rising star Mario Balotelli is celebrating his 18th birthday today and he can finally obtain Italian citizenship, making him available for the Azzurri.

Balotelli was one of last season’s surprise packages as he rose to the occasion for the Italian champions when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was out injured.

But while the gifted marksman was born in Palermo and has spent his entire life in the peninsula, he hasn’t been eligible for Italian citizenship due to legal red tape.

Mario was born to Ghanaian immigrants before a court ruling handed custody to the Balotelli family at the age of three, but he was never legally adopted and so he had to wait until today to request citizenship in accordance with Law 91.

The Nerazzurri ace had hoped to star at this summer’s Olympics and would certainly have commanded a place in Pierluigi Casiraghi’s squad, but he was powerless in the face of bureaucracy.

The wait has been agonising, but Balotelli turned down a call from Ghana’s national side in August 2007 in order to keep his Azzurri dream alive.

And now Marcello Lippi will be keeping a close eye on his new asset and may even hand him his chance in the August 20 friendly against Austria that marks the start of his second reign.

so will he get the call up??

**Jager** · 13-08-2008, 07:34 PM

If he has a decent season, he will most certainly get a look since he brings assets to the table that are completely different from any of other strikers.

He has pace, strength and can nail FKs. I'm also betting that JM will turn him into a winger, meaning we could play with wingers.

It all depends on his play.

After seeing Giovinco, I think Mario and him could work their way into the lineup.

**dukeofdavinci** · 14-08-2008, 09:58 AM

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After seeing Giovinco, I think Mario and him could work their way into the lineup.

very mouth watering things to come for us

skeeta · 25-08-2008, 10:10 PM

Giovinco is a bit special. I like musing about an Azzurri team with him in the middle, Chiellini and Gamberini at the back and Balotelli and Rossi up front. If only Gigi could play until he was 50.

**dukeofdavinci** · 26-08-2008, 07:59 AM

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If only Gigi could play until he was 50.

i think as how the likes of rossi, giovinco and etc have emerged some one will emerge to take gigi's place

**Jager** · 26-08-2008, 10:16 AM

I think Mario is going to get called up for sure, if he makes it or not is another story.