Mario Balotelli (120 Viewers)
- Thread starter Fake Melo
- Start date
He's an absolute idiot, no doubt about that. That should not be discussed actually.
But as a footballer, I don't think he's a WC player, nor I think he can get in there. Saying that, I don't even think he's worth the money they paid for him. To me he's one of those players that you need whole team to be built around him and even then he won't shine (as suggested in younger age). I'm not saying he's a bad player, but to me he's just not that great as media (and bunch of fans) make him.
But as a footballer, I don't think he's a WC player, nor I think he can get in there. Saying that, I don't even think he's worth the money they paid for him. To me he's one of those players that you need whole team to be built around him and even then he won't shine (as suggested in younger age). I'm not saying he's a bad player, but to me he's just not that great as media (and bunch of fans) make him.
I remember the days when he signed for Milan and people criticized Marotta for not bringing him to Juve. 
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But if you remove his mental attributes and just look at him technically and physically he is the perfect mould for a modern centre forward. He has the typical physical attributes of a big African striker but his control and dribbling is that of a smaller, technical player. His finishing and shooting from range is also fairly strong.
I wouldn't describe him as a modern center forward at all. Players like Cavani and Falcao are that (even as he's a lesser level he doesn't come close to them). He's not the type of player on who you can rely to score goals, nor is the only that creates chances like an old school SS. His finishing nor heading is not at the high(est) level, far from it. He's good at holding the ball and being agile enough to get into the box, but he lacks way too many characteristics to be anything close to a world class player.
I agree with Dule. Just because he's tall and not clumsy doesn't mean he has the potential to be one of the best. It becomes and argument of would've and could've. Those are just hypotheticals and Balo has not done anything other than score some Quagliarella style goals to deserve the praise.
But he's milked the black moody Italian player persona to the max. Dude got the cover of Sports Illustrated.
But he's milked the black moody Italian player persona to the max. Dude got the cover of Sports Illustrated.
I'm sure you can do better than 'tall and not clumsy' as a description, it's pretty obvious he's a good footballer. I think it's also easily forgotten that he is still only 23 years old. Yes, 23, that's when most 'kids' start playing in Serie A. But like many wonderkids who shine early in their careers maybe he will burn out.
When I say modern centre forward I'm not just speaking about someone who scores 40 goals per season. I'm saying he has athleticism and technique to not just play as a static #9, he can assist, move into wide areas of the pitch, as well as use his size. That he chooses to spend a lot of game being a prick is a different issue.
At 23 Cavani was just coming of age, few would have put him above Balotelli after a dozen goals at Palermo. The same for Falcao moving from River to Porto after a similar tally. Their careers have been on an upward spiral ever since, Balotelli's is probably going in the other direction.
But he's not doing too badly himself in terms of goals. One every other game from his time at City and Milan, the same for Italy, who he has generally upped his game for, i.e. cut out a lot of the crap.
When I say modern centre forward I'm not just speaking about someone who scores 40 goals per season. I'm saying he has athleticism and technique to not just play as a static #9, he can assist, move into wide areas of the pitch, as well as use his size. That he chooses to spend a lot of game being a prick is a different issue.
At 23 Cavani was just coming of age, few would have put him above Balotelli after a dozen goals at Palermo. The same for Falcao moving from River to Porto after a similar tally. Their careers have been on an upward spiral ever since, Balotelli's is probably going in the other direction.
But he's not doing too badly himself in terms of goals. One every other game from his time at City and Milan, the same for Italy, who he has generally upped his game for, i.e. cut out a lot of the crap.
Like others have said, with him there's a big difference between "can/could" & "will/would". He has all the potential in the world to become WC, definitely, more than other current young Italian forwards. But if he keeps up the road he's going down? No way. At this point, Insigne will end up better than him. Maybe Berardi too, but it's way too early to call that one IMO.
Not WC 
Name me one bigger Italian talent in today's game.
His attitude is fucked up but looking at his raw talent he's a 'once in a generation talent' like Götze and Neymar are and the crème de la crème of this current young Italian generation.
Name me one bigger Italian talent in today's game.
His attitude is fucked up but looking at his raw talent he's a 'once in a generation talent' like Götze and Neymar are and the crème de la crème of this current young Italian generation.
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In City as well, I guess.
Not WC
Name me one bigger Italian talent in today's game.
His attitude is fucked up but looking at his raw talent he's a 'once in a generation talent' like Götze and Neymar are and the crème de la crème of this current young Italian generation.
Name me one bigger Italian talent in today's game.
His attitude is fucked up but looking at his raw talent he's a 'once in a generation talent' like Götze and Neymar are and the crème de la crème of this current young Italian generation.