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Mario Balotelli, the Italian boy next door
Posted Dec 23, 2009
Most football insiders would have him down as the one to watch. Football insiders we are not but we have a certain flair for spotting talent (though "checking out the talent" would be a more accurate description...) and even to us he is more than a cute guy in shorts; Balotelli is highly symbolic of changing times.
"What can you do about it?" Mario Balotelli hardly seems the apologetic kind.
Meet the new Italian. Not unlike the previous generations he loves his football, gets up too late, likes his fashion, probably likes his women too (though he is yet to bring a WAG of his into the public eye)... Failing to spot the difference? Many Italians have, mostly for all the wrong reasons. To put it bluntly what makes it stand out to some is the colour of his skin; allegedly not the first Black player to have joined an Italian team but the first Italian black player, born and bred, with a regional accent and everything. Already he has been chosen to play for the Azzurrini, the under-21 team, and many are looking forward to his debut in the proper national team.
Clouds on the horizon? If recent reports are to be trusted then Balotelli is seriously fed up: "I let all the talk about me slide away, although sometimes I'd like to say: 'leave me in peace, let me live.'" Is that the premature ending to dreams of an Italian team in black and white? Thankfully the youngster's got quite some determination! "There is pride at stake, Italy is my country and it would be tough to change. (...) I am more Italian than those [racist] fans in the stands." Now that's the kind of arrogant Italian we like!
Source: The Independent
Photo credits: Various
TAGS: mario balotelli footbal player inter milan cantona arsenal mourinho
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