Why doesn’t anybody want to take moody, arrogant Mario Balotelli off Liverpool’s hands…
Italian misfit has the world at his feet - but he must get head around expectations surrounding the modern day footballer
MARIO BALOTELLI should already be an Italian legend.
A superbly gifted footballer, only the third black player ever to appear for the Azzuri, the youngest ever Inter Milan player to score a Champions League goal, a kind and impulsive and generous man who hands out cash to the homeless.
He even hired a magician to teach him tricks so he could entertain his younger brother.
On the face of it a great bloke and an even better footballer with amazing physical ability and - originally - a decent eye for goal.
So why does nobody want to sign Super Mario?
Liverpool are currently lumbered with him but boss Jurgen Klopp has indicated he doesn't want to play Balotelli, who spent last season scored just one goal in 20 Seria A games on loan at AC Milan.
Besiktas' apparent interest in him is fast fading and Ajax won't meet his wage demands. And that's about it for the 25-year-old striker who has had spells for both Milan clubs, Manchester City and Liverpool besides Italian minnows Lumezzane.
The problem is the same man who set Italy on fire in his infancy also set his Manchester home alight during a famous indoor firework session.
And while he’s revered for that insane amount of pure talent, Mario is also seen as petulant, crazy, immature and exceedingly arrogant. A man who ordered a statue of himself, a magnet for the media - usually for all the wrong reasons.
This week he was pictured smoking on holiday in Portofino having been told he has no future at Anfield.
Car crashes and fireworks at Manchester City, a furious shoving match with boss Roberto Mancini after a training ground incident virtually signalled the end of his time at the Etihad.
Nor was swapping shirts with Real Madrid's Pepe at half-time during a Champions League tie with Liverpool a good idea.
In many ways he is a beast, someone who doesn't care what others think of him.
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Balotelli is scarcely renowned for tackling back, often makes needless fouls, is criticised for not showing enough desire to get the ball, being in the wrong position when he does...the list is endless and also includes often being the last player to take the field for the second half.
Why, critics, say in these days of workrate and endless Prozone statistics does Balotelli not take a leaf out of Luis Suarez' book and run around a lot - just like Harry Kane or Jamie Vardy.
For all Balotelli's faults,none other than former Italy playmaker Andrew Pirlo insists Mario can still be a world force, saying: “I have played with some of the best strikers, and I can tell you Mario has all the attributes to be one of the best strikers in the world.
“By now I thought that is where he would be, that is where he should be. He has no more time to waste.”
Which is why misfit Balotelli needs a club NOW. A new home where he can both fit in and, more importantly, pull his weight.
The truth is it's down to Mario and Mario only. Note the words of Mancini, now at Inter: "If Mario is not one of the best players in the world it will be his fault, because he has everything. Mario can be one of the top players in Europe. I don’t want him to lose his talent.”
Now, as he approaches his 26th birthday, Balotelli is a man without a home, currently spending pre-season with the Liverpool reserves.
It is hardly surprising that few coaches are willing to take a chance on the Italian given that so many talented and experienced managers have tried, but failed, to control the player’s temper.
Still, there's no doubt we'll still be talking about Mario Balotelli when he's gone...but at this rate it will always be terms of what should have been.