Mario Balotelli: Badass or Jackass?

Image via Complex Original

When: 2008-2010

Between 2008-2010 Internazionale Milano, under Jose Mourinho, became one of the most dominant clubs in European football. While there was a host of talent on the Nerazzurri during those cup-winning seasons, it was Mario Balotelli who bounced onto the scene and made his presence felt. Balotelli scored 20 goals in 59 league appearances for Inter and in 2008 became the youngest Inter player to score a Champions League goal at just 18 years of age. He would learn under the "Special One," and blossom into one of the hotter strikers in Europe, playing a pivotal role in Inter's back-to-back-to back Serie A titles between 2008-2010. This is the beginning of the man known as Super Mario.

When: 3/23/2010

As we know all to well by now, controversy is never far from Mario Balotelli. Take this Italian TV interview for example. It appears he was coaxed into holding up an AC Milan jersey, as it was given to him as a "gift," if we're understanding correctly. Only one problem, at the time Mario was playing for bitter AC Milan rival, Inter Milan. This set off a shit storm in the Italian media, and was surely not a way for Balotelli to endear himself to his club's fans. A pretty jackass move if you ask us.

When: 20009-2010

The 2009-2010 season proved to be Balotelli's best with Inter Milan. During this campaign Super Mario and his Inter teammates pulled off one of the great team feats in Europe by capturing the domestic title, the domestic cup title, and the coveted Champions League trophy. Better known as "the treble," it is celebrated as the mark of a season's true champion, and Balotelli couldn't have picked a better way to go out in a blaze of glory. Winning three of the most coveted titles in Europe is definitely a badass move.

When: 4/20/2010

Much like Jekyll and Hyde, for every good moment in Mario Balotelli's career, comes an oft-maligned one such as this. During a Champions League semi-final back in 2010 against Spanish giants Barcelona, Balotelli lost his cool in his own stadium. After the final whistle blew for the first leg Inter held a 3-1 advantage over Barca, but Balotelli failed to hold onto his shirt. In a rash response to apparent jeering from his own fans, Balotelli removed his jersey and threw it down on the pitch, drawing the ire of fans, teammates, and coaches. Even Barcelona players were shocked at what they saw. You can never disrespect the colors. This was a move Balotelli would later say was one of his greatest regrets. We wonder how many other choices are on that list.

When: 2007-Present

This isn't an often-publicized fact about Super Mario, but fam has never missed a penalty in his professional career. Shocked? Us too, kind of. Balotelli is 17 for 17 from 12 yards out, and quite frankly, we wonder how long he can continue this streak. Being 100 percent in one of the greatest psychological battles in sport is most definitely badass at any level.

When: 12/3/2010

Balotelli arrived in Manchester from Milan in the Summer of 2010. Shortly after his arrival he introduced himself to his new teammates. How, you ask? A handshake, or perhaps a nice team meal in the city? Nope. Mario Balotelli said hello with a training ground fight. This first dust-up was with defender Jerome Boateng—Balotelli apparently was reacting to what he deemed a harsher than necessary challenge from the German. The two went at it for a few before being separated, and this would be the first in a series of four moronic training fights while at City. Way to be a team player, Mario.

When: 1/1/2011

Does it get anymore Balotelli than this? We think not. A New Years Eve party in a swank Manchester flat was the scene of this double-cross. Mario Balotelli may have entered the party with his girlfriend (WAG on the right), but he most certainly didn't leave with her. As the clock was nearing midnight, Balotelli, tired of his lady, decided to go after her best friend (girl on the left) in one of the bedrooms. Of course she obliged while her friend was still in the house. Damn, son, is that how they do it in Italy? This is one of the most jackass moments for any dude anywhere.

When: 5/10/2011

Mario Balotelli despises bullies. Funny, we thought he surely was one. When a young boy came up to Mario in training looking for an autograph Mario replied with questioning why the boy wasn't in school. When the lad told him it was because he was afraid of a bully, Super Mario was ready to come to the rescue. Balotelli took the kid and his mom to the headmaster in an effort to talk out the problem and see that the student was harassed no further. Scoring goals in the morning, chasing the bullies away in the afternoon, and baggin WAGs by night. Super Mario indeed.

When: 3/17/2011

A moment of madness in the Europa League cost, not just himself, but his team as well. In the second leg of a knockout match against Dynamo Kiev, Balotelli went absolutely berserk and landed a reckless karate kick to the chest of Goran Popov, promptly seeing a red card for his actions just before halftime. City subsequently couldn't muster anything in attack in the second half with 10 men, and were bounced from Europe. Did we mention Manchester City were already facing a two-goal first-leg deficit, and Balotelli had missed two early chances in the match? It was also City's second to last chance of the season to win any major hardware since 1976. Bad Mario.

When: 5/14/2011

If he had a hand in denying City their first major trophy in 35 years, surely he had a hand in helping them win it as well. Such was the case when just two months after being knocked out of Europe, Balotelli and company were able to rally in order to win the FA Cup. They ran out 1-0 winners over Stoke City and the barren spell for the blue half of Manchester was over. We're pretty sure Balotelli skipped out on the celebratory parade after the victory, but hey, with Balotelli you just can't have it all.

When: 3/27/2011

So much for despising bullies. Balotelli landed in hot water with Manchester City after he was found throwing darts at youth team players while they trained. What is wrong with this guy? Balotelli, who's known for pranking teammates, was seen throwing the darts from a first floor window at City's training complex. When asked about the incident, Balotelli simply replied that he was "bored." Really dude? How about training while you're at the training center? We know it's too radical of an idea. Nobody was hurt and the club dismissed it as "a misguided prank rather than a serious transgression." It's arguable that many of Balotelli's actions fall into that "misguided," category.

When: 10/23/2011

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but maybe it's just three. "Why always me?" These words were written on a shirt worn underneath Balotelli's jersey during the Manchester derby against United in 2011. After Balotelli opened the scoring, he lifted his jersey to reveal the hidden message. Balotelli would grab a brace and City would go on to win 6-1. Now, while many see this as a jackass move, we actually think it's a great retort to all the negative press he was getting leading up to the match. Haters gonna hate, Balo. This was also Manchester United's heaviest home defeat since 1955, and it opened up a five-point lead for City at the top of the table.

When: 7/24/2011

During Manchester City's US tour in the summer of 2011, Balotelli gave new meaning to the phrase, "he scores goals when he wants to." Balotelli, who had only been on the pitch a few minutes, looked like he had a clear shot on goal from just a few yards out. But this is Mario Balotelli we're talking about. He inexplicably turned his back to goal and attempted to back heel the ball into the net instead of taking the sure shot. Mario missed horribly and manager Roberto Mancini promptly removed him from the match. Teammates looked at him in confusion and LA Galaxy fans serenaded him with a chorus of boos as he walked off the pitch. Way to expand the global game, chief.

When: 3/10/2012

This is one of the coolest individual moments for Balotelli during his spell with Manchester City. City, who were reeling from dropping points in their previous match, desperately needed to salvage a point at home against German giants Borussia Dortmund if they had any shot of advancing from the Champions League group stage. City were awarded a late penalty and up stepped mister perfect, Mario Balotelli. However, before Balotelli took the pen, Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller had a few choice words for the striker in an attempt to throw him off. Balotelli shuffled him off and coolly slotted home from 12 yards, only to mimic the keeper right after.

When: 1/22/2012

Mario Balotelli has done some things in his young career that can be described as silly at best. But this stamp he put on Tottenham Hotspur's Scott Parker was beyond reckless. As you can see from the video, the first contact may have been incidental, but there is no doubt that there is a stomping follow through from Balotelli directly to Parker's head. Amazingly the incident went unpunished during the match, despite referee Howard Webb's seemingly perfect position to witness the event. Balotelli was charged with violent conduct by the FA following the match. Is it fair that Balotelli stayed on the pitch and went on to score the game winning penalty in stoppage time? Just ask then-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp what he thinks.

When: 5/13/2012

Certainly one of Mario's greatest moments while wearing the blue of Manchester was the role he played during City's title run last season. A contributor all season long, Balotelli made an assist of true muscle and grit to supply fellow forward Sergio Aguero with a perfect ball to seal a 3-2 victory. This was virtually the last kick of the match and of the season. With Manchester United winning their match just moments earlier, City needed all three points against QPR in order to secure the Premier League crown.

In the 94th minute Balotelli slid a ball through to Aguero who scored City's second stoppage-time goal of the match to snatch the title from rivals United at the death. It was the first time City won the league in 44 years, and it was arguably the greatest climax to a title race in league history. Love him or hate him, surely this assist alone will immortalize Balotelli in Manchester City history.

When: 4/9/2012

If you thought the stomp on Scott Parker was bad, just check out this crunching challenge from Super Mario. A ball that he was never going to get to, Balotelli instead went studs up to the ankle/shin area of Alex Song. The challenge is horrendous, and again it went unpunished at the time of the event. Balotelli did receive a red card in the match but it was for another incident at the Emirates that day. He got a three-match ban for the card, but managed to escape any further punishment for the challenge on Song. How does this dude keep getting out of trouble?

When: 6/28/2012

Mario Balotelli's greatest spell with the Italian national team arguably came during Euro 2012. The forward had three goals in the tournament en route to the final, and scored his side's only two goals in the semi-final victory over Germany—the first of his two was an absolute goalaso. After a brilliant pass from Riccardo Montolivo, Balotelli shows deft control and movement before rifling a shot into Manuel Neuer's upper corner. A strike no keeper in the world was going to stop, this goal also prompted Balotelli's now-famous shirtless stonewall celebration. More to come on this in a moment. For now, just check out the sheer class of this goal all around.

When: 2/27/2013

Well, we promised you more on that celebration from Euro 2012, and here it is. In one of Super Mario's latest episodes of venality he has commissioned a life-sized statue of himself to be built for his home in Brescia. Apparently, he has hired local artist Livio Scarpella to 'immortalise' him in platinum and bronze. Rumors suggest the statue will depict that famous celebration from the goal against Germany. Just when we thought we had it figured out, Mario Balotelli has once again managed to shock us with his extravagant and outrageous behavior.

Does he have plenty of raw skill and talent? Absolutely. But when is it no longer acceptable to hide behind his immaturity and seemingly callous disregard for teammates, coaches, and opposition? Mario Balotelli isn't a teenager anymore, and he needs to stop acting like one. The open rebuffs of former coaches, the constant fighting with teammates, and the wagging of his proverbial finger towards his own supporters has shown Mario Balotelli in an unflattering light. Not to mention several reckless challenges and outbursts against opposition that has seemingly been unprovoked.

It's not that Mario Balotelli isn't talented, but as we have learned at this level on the biggest stage, talent simply is not enough. A world-class footballer must have talent, vision, the ability to show up when it matters most, and the adeptness to know how to keep a cool head. Super Mario might already have nine trophies to his name, but he is far from a leader on and off the pitch. His antics have ranged from the bizarre, to the completely unacceptable at times. Until he grows up and begins to understand his potential, and take responsibility, Mario Balotelli will remain a jackass.