Recruited at the end of October by Genoa, Mario Balotelli made his Serie A debut this Monday in a success at Parma (0-1). Still adored by fans, the whimsical striker perfectly maintained his legend by receiving a card in the final moments of the match.
Mario will always be Mario. Surprise recruit from Genoa at the end of October, Mario Balotelli made his return to Serie A, four years after his last appearance in the Italian championship, Monday during the success at Parma (0-1).
Substitute at the kick-off of this match, the Italian international with 36 caps came on in the 86th minute of the match, a few moments after Andrea Pinamonti's opening score.
Balotelli ended up in his underwear…and with a warning
At 34 years old and after 1701 days away from the Italian championship, “Super Mario” initially showed himself to be very diligent and very determined. Perhaps a little too much since he received a warning 5 minutes after coming into play, for a defensive withdrawal. Not without contesting the referee's decision.
A decision which caused amusement among Internet users who did not fail to point out that despite the years, the former Nice and OM striker remains a colorful character and not always easy to manage.
If some Parmesan supporters went to the stadium with signs to demand Mario Balotelli's jersey, the striker kept his precious tunic on his shoulders. But the same can't be said for his shorts. After the match, the Italian came to greet some spectators and gave his clothing to one of them before returning to the locker room in his underwear but with a big smile.
The Balotelli bet starts well
Without a club since last June and his departure from the Turkish club Adana Demirspor, the native of Palermo was recruited on October 27 to compensate for the injury-related absence of two Genoa attackers, Vitinha and Junior Messias.
Thanks to its success in Parma, the first since August, Alberto Gilardino's Genoa leaves the red zone and climbs three places to 17th place in the Serie A standings.
