Mario Balotelli

Profile:

 Full name     Mario Barwuah Balotelli

Date of birth     12 August 1990 (age 24)

Place of birth     Palermo, Italy

Height     1.89 m (6 ft 2 1⁄2 in)

Playing position     Striker

Early life:

 Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo, Sicily from Ghanaian immigrants.[9] The family moved to Bagnolo Mella in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, when he was two.

In 1993, the authorities suggested he be placed into foster care. The Barwuah family gave up the three-year-old boy to an Italian foster family, the Balotellis. His foster parents are Silvia, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, and Francesco Balotelli. They lived in the town of Concesio, Brescia, in northern Italy.

At first, he stayed at the Balotellis during the weekdays, and returned to his biological parents on weekends. But after a while he started to be indifferent towards his biological parents and adopted the surname of the Balotellis, and it was arranged for him to be permanently fostered by the Balotellis.

In June 2012, he dedicated his goals that put Italy in the final of the Euro 2012 football championships to his foster mother Silvia, and rushed over to embrace her as she wept after the win.

Balotelli had to wait until his 18th birthday to request Italian citizenship, as the Balotellis had not adopted him. Balotelli officially gained citizenship in Concesio on 13 August 2008.After the ceremony he released the following statement:
“     I am Italian, I feel Italian, I will forever play with the Italy national team.

Mario Balotelli
    ”

Mario has three biological siblings: Abigail, Enoch, and Angel Barwuah. Enoch Barwuah, two years his junior, had a trial at English Premier League side Stoke City in December 2011, and Sunderland in January 2012, before signing with Salford City on 16 November 2012. Enoch switched to Maltese Premier League side Qormi in July 2013.

International career:

Balotelli was unable to answer call-ups to the Italian national under-15 and under-17 teams as he was still considered to be a Ghanaian immigrant.
On 7 August 2007, five days before his seventeenth birthday, Balotelli received his first senior International call-up for Ghana from their coach Claude Le Roy for a friendly against Senegal at the New Den stadium in London, England, on 21 August 2007. He declined the offer citing once again his willingness to play for Italy when he became eligible.He also stated his willingness to represent Italy at international level once he acquired an Italian passport.

Italy U-21 coach Pierluigi Casiraghi stated his intention to call up Balotelli once he obtained Italian citizenship. On 13 August 2008 Balotelli was finally given Italian citizenship.
“     This is even more exciting than making my debut in Serie A. The best birthday present I could receive now would be a call to join the Italy squad, although I'd be happy to play for the Under 21 team.

mario

 

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