On his way out last summer and the author of a very complicated start to the season, Mario Balotelli is likely to leave the Gym at the end of the season.
Though Jean-Pierre Rivère’s statement on RMC surprised some people, it actually seems quite logical.
The president of OGC Nice shared that he doesn’t think Balotelli will remain in Nice next summer: “Mario, for us, was leaving, so he missed his preparation. I believe that all players who do not have a good preparation struggle in the first part of the championship. Moreover, at the moment he has regained all his physical quality but is not successful. It puts him in a state of tension, poor thing. After all, Mario has not lost his talent. The day when one of his shots goes in, more will follow. There should be no regrets,” he said.
Since his not-quite-departure last summer, the player who had made it back to the Squadra Azzura (at the Allianz Riviera during a friendly France-Italy match on June 1st) has been just a shadow of his former self. Missed preparation, lack of physical fitness, frustration with his teammates, and above all, no goals scored since the start of the season.
It’s not for lack of trying, with Patrick Vieira continuing to express his confidence in him despite his mood swings and lack of commitment. Despite a good performance against Lille, his matches are too inconsistent, and Balotelli already seems to have his mind elsewhere.
With his contract expiring in June, the Italian forward will be able to sign with another club as early as January. But to find a way out, he will need to restore his reputation. Finding the way back to scoring goals, something he hasn’t done since May 12, 2018 (against Caen, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory), would be a good start.
Regaining success as soon as possible would allow the artist a graceful exit.
