If Balotelli is expected to go all out on a New Year’s resolution, merely slating his off-the-pitch behaviour and grouping it as “off-the-field misdemeanors” is shallow. In his first act of pleading for forgiveness, Super Mario supposedly drove around Manchester handing out money to passers-by, all whilst donning a Father Christmas outfit. If that isn’t worth forgiveness, then driving around Manchester after the Blue half had beaten the Red half, high-fiving all City fans from his convertible Bentley is. Unfortunately, like many stories about Balotelli, both of the above are unconfirmed; just think of him as the Chuck Norris of football. Most heart-warming of all the Mario myths, be they true, false or unconfirmed, is his quest for justice in the playground; a story quite believable considering the racist taunts he suffered, growing up as a black child to white adopted parents in a racist part of Italy.
One morning, having finished training at Manchester City’s Carrington training ground, Balotelli jogged over to where fans were watching, to sign shirts and autograph books. He was faced with a young lad asking him for his signature and Balotelli quizzed the kid over why he wasn’t in school. When the Italian was told by the youngster that he was being bullied at school, he drove the kid and his mum, who was with him at Carrington, to the school before demanding to see the headteacher. He then proceeded to identify the bully and saw over an apology and handshake, before leaving again in his Maserati. Whether it’s true or not will remain a mystery unless Balotelli confirms the many unconfirmed stories of generosity and the ridiculous.
However, that remains unlikely, “‘I am a very, very private person, I know some players like being the centre of attention and I admit that when I first became a player I liked fame, too. But that feeling lasted only for three months. Then I realised what it was really like to be the centre of attention all the time. It isn’t all good.” It is believable though; a porter at the apartment block where Mario resides has stated that, ‘Mario treats me really well, he’s a good guy. When I asked him for a signed shirt it was there, he’s very kind.’ Either way, the hearty Italian should not curb his ways: “With enigmatic players like Balotelli, you have to ignore a lot of what they do – he’s worth the hassle,” said Keown.
After all, Balotelli won’t change his ways; “Every day I fight against Mario and sometimes I would like to give him a punch.” said Mancini. “He couldn’t. I do Thai kick-boxing,” replied Balotelli. Of course, he was joking. His character is infectious, his behaviour is admirably rebellious and his talent is supreme. But is he a, “new figurehead for footballing buffoons” like The Guardian claims, or is he in fact a, “playful jiber, delivering with affection: a young man who does not always wish to take life so seriously,” like the Daily Mail states? For me, this year, if Balotelli is to set a New Year’s Resolution, like his boss suggests, it shouldn’t be to have “a different way.” Balotelli has reignited many a love affair with football and his only commitment for 2012 should be, “To keep them asking, why always me?”
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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