Arriving last summer at Genoa, Italian international striker Mario Balotelli does not fit into his coach Patrick Vieira's plans and plays very little. The former Nice and OM player could take advantage of a clause in his contract to leave his club before December 31.
Year 2024 is over for Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker will not participate in the match of the 18th day of Serie A on the Empoli pitch this Saturday, December 28 (3 p.m.) with Genoa. The former OM and Nice player is not in Patrick Vieira's group.
“He had the flu this week,” explained the French coach. “It’s a shame because he was fine.” Absent this Saturday, will Super Mario play again with the Genoa club? Not sure. When he joined Genoa this summer, the 34-year-old striker signed up for one season, until June 2025. But a clause allows the player or the club to terminate the contract before this Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
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56 minutes of play in Serie A, zero goals, zero assists
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the club ranked 13th in Serie A wishes to keep the Italian international (36 caps – 14 goals). In the player's camp, on the other hand, doubt is allowed. Since his arrival at Genoa, Mario Balotelli has only made six appearances in the Italian championship. Patrick Vieira has never started him and his time spent on Serie A pitches does not even exceed one hour (56 minutes). As for his stats, it's a zero point in the goals and assists column.
He has an XXL offer from a Mexican club
Barred by the competition, Mario Balotelli did not convince Patrick Vieira with whom relations have not particularly warmed up since their collaboration in Nice. In this context, the Italian center forward could be tempted to leave Genoa, which would allow the Italian club to recruit an attacker in the winter transfer window.
For his part, the Italian could bounce back very quickly. He would have an XXL offer from Mexico. Still according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Cruz Azul club offers him a contract worth two million euros. A salary significantly higher than the 400,000 euros per month that Super Mario must receive until the end of his contract.
