The Super Mario Balotelli thread....

[lionel]

Originally Posted by Jager

By saying Pato is older, you don't make a case that Pato is better. Actually if anything, you are more ammunition that Balotelli is already scoringi against Serie A teams.

my point is that atm pato is a better player, but in a year balotelli will be much better than he is now, so you can't compare them now anyway.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by lionel

my point is that atm pato is a better player, but in a year balotelli will be much better than he is now, so you can't compare them now anyway.

Okay, I misunderstood. I agree with that. Mario is really a secret.

Here is a little tip though, it was reported that Barcelona were in hot persuit, and his adoptive parents approached Inter to sign him.

So he was a secret, but Barca managed to get a look.

[D-Kin]

Inter to lock up Super Mario Thursday 7 February, 2008

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Reports in the peninsula suggest that Inter are drawing up a huge contract offer to tie striking starlet Mario Balotelli to the club.

Balotelli has exploded into the consciousness of calcio lovers with two vital performances in the Nerazzurri’s Coppa Italia run.

Having bagged a brace against Reggina, the 17-year-old settled the Derby d’Italia showdown against Juventus in the quarter-finals.

The precocious marksman is currently firing on all cylinders at the Viareggio youth tournament, where he scored the decisive goal in the Beneamata’s last 16 clash against Cisco Roma yesterday.

With the media dubbing him ‘Inter’s Alexandre Pato’, it is little surprise that the Italian champions are keen to keep him under lock and key.

It is believed that Inter will try and get Balotelli to commit until 2013 and are willing to offer a vast pay rise from the modest youth team wage that he currently commands.

Talks are expected to progress smoothly after Balotelli’s recent assertion that the San Siro is his dream arena.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

His goal versus Cisco Roma...incredible.

[Marcelo]

Mario-inspired Inter in final four Thursday 7 February, 2008




Inter’s youth side have edged into the semi-finals of the Viareggio tournament and they have their usual hero to thank.

Prodigious striking starlet Mario Balotelli netted his third goal in 24 hours from a 25-yard free-kick to set Inter on the road to a 2-0 extra-time win over a plucky Cesena side.

On the day that newspapers predict a monster contract offer for the 17-year-old, Balotelli finally ended stubborn resistance from the Seahorses and was a menacing figure until he left the field with cramp four minutes from time.

The Nerazzurri will now take on Atalanta’s youngsters in the semi-finals after the Orobici destroyed Lazio 4-0.

Empoli saw off Tuscan rivals Fiorentina 2-1 with an 85th minute goal and Ascoli also make the last four after beating fellow Serie B side Vicenza on penalties.

Semi-final draw:
Empoli - Vicenza
Inter - Atalanta

Ties to be played on Saturday February 9.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Super Mario’s Inter dream Friday 29 February, 2008

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Wonder-kid Mario Balotelli is delighted by his achievements with Inter this season and spoke about his present and future with the club.

“I am happy at Inter because this is my dream team, I couldn’t wish for anything more.” he confessed.

“I am not under pressure because playing football is all I want to do. It is a dream and always will be.”

Super Mario may leave the Nerazzurri on loan at the end of this season in order to get some first-team experience, although he would prefer to stay in Milan.

“I don’t know if I will go on loan or stay here, it is up to the Board. I would like to stay here though, because I feel good at Inter,” he said.

“Everybody is trying to help me, but Marco Materazzi does it the most – when he sees I am doing something wrong he has a word with me.”

Balotelli’s exploits against Juventus, when he scored two goals in the Coppa Italia, has boosted his popularity amongst the Inter fans.

“It is a great feeling to play at San Siro, because it is one of the best stadiums in the world,” he added.

“I will keep my feet firmly on the ground though, I am not stupid and I don’t want to ruin everything. I have to train because there is a lot to learn.”

President Massimo Moratti has always had a soft spot for him and claimed he is the Nerazzurri’s answer to Milan starlet Alexandre Pato.

“The President treats me really well, like he does with all the others. He didn’t tell me I am his favourite, but I am glad he likes the way I play,” said the Sicilian striker.

“My idol is Ronaldo, regardless of which team he plays for. I keep all his tapes and when he got injured I was really sad.

“I send him my best wishes. I always believed that I can be really good but Ronnie will always be better than I am.”

The Nerazzurri striker will also be eligible to play for Italy as he was born in Palermo and was adopted by an Italian family when he was just a child.

“I have decided to play for Italy because I don’t feel Ghanaian,” he explained.

“I grew up here, I am Italian. I don’t even know what Africa looks like, I have never been there.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

I actually hope he doesn't go on loan, and stays with us. I think he is good enough to be backup.

[Forza_Roma]

From the couple games i've seen of this kid...he looks great. He's going to have a long future with Inter if they decide to keep him.

Anyone have any info on him?

[Jager]

Info in what sense? He is 17, and he has become a key part of our offense, since Ibra has gone down with an injury. Very important to our present and future.

[skeeta]

"old" Inter would have left Balotelli to rot in the Primavera. His getting a decent run in the first team was pretty much the only seriously positive aspect of their season in the period between the Liverpool matches and Ibra coming on against Parma.

[Forza_Roma]

Not sure if this is accurate...That would mean he believes he should be making similar money to Suazo and Crespo.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Not a chance.

[D-Kin]

Some interesting comments from him....

The striker, who only turns 18 in August, has been sending out repeated warnings he is by no means certain to stay with the club.

“I don’t feel like an Inter player inside,” he was quoted as saying in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I don’t feel like a player who belongs in a mid-table side, either.”

Chelsea have already shown an interest in the Italian talent of Ghanaian extraction and the upcoming contract negotiations with Inter are bound to be affected by this.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[acitalianman13]

lol gazetta isnt that the juventus tifosi new channel

[Jager]

Originally Posted by D-Kin

Some interesting comments from him....


channel4.com - Football Italia

Comments could be taken out of context. Mario has to await his turn. They probably approached him about a loan move and he's no to keen about playing with a smaller side.