Mario Balotelli Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Mario Balotelli’s Net Worth and Salary?

Mario Balotelli, an Italian professional soccer player, has accumulated a net worth of $80 million. Known for his impressive skills, physical prowess, and controversial nature, Balotelli has made a name for himself in football. His career began with Inter Milan, where he won three Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2009–10 under José Mourinho. His standout performances led to a transfer to Manchester City in 2010, where he played a crucial role in helping the club win its first Premier League title in 2012 by assisting Sergio Agüero’s legendary last-minute goal.

Subsequently, Balotelli had a stint at AC Milan, where he thrived, before moving back to the Premier League to join Liverpool in 2014. Unfortunately, his career became marked by inconsistency and off-field controversies, resulting in his involvement with several clubs like Nice, Marseille, and Brescia. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, Balotelli was instrumental for the Italian national team, contributing significantly to their journey to the UEFA Euro 2012 final, notably scoring twice against Germany in the semi-finals.

His unpredictable behavior has characterized Balotelli’s career, which has been filled with both exceptional moments and disputes. He later joined clubs in Turkey and Switzerland, consistently highlighting his remarkable abilities. Despite having not fully realized his potential, Balotelli’s exceptional talent and vibrant personality continue to make him a fascinating figure in football.

Early Life

Mario Balotelli Barwuah was born in Palermo, Italy, on August 12, 1990. Born to Ghanaian immigrants, he was placed into foster care due to his family’s inability to support him. He was later adopted by Italian parents and grew up in a Jewish household in Brescia.

Career

At the age of 15, Mario was elevated to Lumezzane’s first team, making his Serie C1 league debut against Padova. Although Barcelona showed interest, Balotelli ultimately signed with Inter Milan in 2006. By 2007, he secured a place on the first team, marking his Serie A debut amidst a flurry of impressive goals that captured the attention of the Italian media.

At just 18, Balotelli was having a great time scoring in the Champions League. However, his journey was not without difficulties. In 2009, he faced racial abuse from Juventus fans. Although Inter clinched the Serie A title that season, Balotelli began to exhibit unprofessional behavior off the pitch, particularly with José Mourinho as manager, known for his strict approach to discipline.

Throughout Mourinho’s tenure, he consistently criticized Balotelli, even excluding him from a Champions League match against Chelsea. Tensions escalated when Balotelli threw his Inter Milan jersey at fans who booed him, prompting backlash from supporters and disapproval from his teammates.

In 2010, Balotelli transferred to Manchester City, reuniting with his former coach Roberto Mancini. At the age of 22, he signed a $36 million contract. During his first season, he performed admirably, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa. However, he struggled to control his temper, receiving numerous red cards, with his second season bringing additional challenges, including a four-match suspension for violent conduct. Ultimately, he was issued four red cards during that season at Manchester City.

In 2013, AC Milan acquired Mario, and he appeared to find stability in Italy, continuing his good form. The following year, he transferred to Liverpool for a fee of 16 million pounds. Although initially intended as a replacement…for Luis Suarez, Balotelli struggled to leave a mark, netting just four goals that season. This underwhelming period led Liverpool to loan Mario back to AC Milan.

Following this, Balotelli spent several years playing in France, initially with Nice and afterward with Marseille. In 2019, he signed a multi-year contract with Brescia, his hometown club in Italy.

Style of Play

Mario Balotelli embodies the classic “number 9” role – a traditional striker and goalscorer known for his height, speed, and technical prowess. He is recognized as a penalty kick expert, boasting an impressive record of 38 goals from 42 penalties taken.

While Mario has shown considerable promise, he has faced criticism for his on-field attitude. Many coaches have noted his inconsistency, but his erratic temperament is perhaps his most criticized trait. Because of his volatile demeanor, he often receives unnecessary bookings and has faced multiple red cards.

Controversy

Balotelli epitomizes the essence of a controversial personality. In 2010, he along with some friends brandished air pistols in a bustling plaza in Milan. That same year, he was photographed socializing with two members of a mafia family. Many fans of Manchester City seemed to cherish Mario because of his reckless behavior, even creating a song in his honor. Just days after arriving in Manchester for his new club, Balotelli crashed his car while carrying 5,000 pounds in cash. When questioned by police about his large sum of cash, his response was simply, “Because I am rich.”

After an incident involving indoor fireworks that resulted in his house catching fire, Balotelli humorously became the Firework Safety Ambassador of Greater Manchester. Once, Roberto Mancini remarked that he didn’t communicate with Balotelli daily because doing so would require a psychologist.

Relationships

Mario previously had a relationship with Rafaella Fico, who later alleged that she was expecting his child. Despite Mario’s strong denials of paternity, he was ultimately confirmed as the father following a DNA test. Balotelli also entered into a relationship with Fanny Neguesha from 2013 to 2014, during which they were briefly engaged. In 2017, Mario welcomed a second son, although the identity of the mother has never been revealed.

Real Estate

After living in Manchester during his time at City, rumors emerged in 2013 when he listed his home for rent, seeking nearly 14,000 pounds per month. This was perceived as an indicator that Balotelli was preparing to leave England to continue his football career in Italy. The house he made available for rent was quite luxurious, boasting four bedrooms, an indoor pool, and a media room. He also owned another property in England, which suffered damage after he and his friends irresponsibly set off fireworks indoors.

In 2014, reports indicated that Mario had acquired another residence in England. This property, valued at 4.75 million pounds, is situated in Chester, close to Liverpool, where Balotelli played at that time. It featured a private helipad, a small soccer field, and an indoor pool.