By Ayomide Tayo
Controversial Italian football player Mario Balotelli was a surprise entry in TIME Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ List. The 22 year old has had a colourful career mostly grabbing headlines for his antics off the pitch rather than on it.
An orphan who was raised by an Italian mother was a polarizing figure in England when he played for Manchester City.
While displaying flashes of brilliance sometimes, his work ethic and general attitude infuriated the Manchester City coach, Roberto Mancini. After exchanging blows with Mancini at a training ground bust-up he was sold to AC Milan this January.
Despite his topsy-turvy club performances his finest hour as a footballer was at Euro 2012 where he led Italy to the finals where they lost to Spain. Balotelli also played for Inter Milan where Mourinho was his coach.
After unsuccessful attempts at trying to mould him into a more responsible player, the legendary Portuguese coach gave up on him and sold him to City.
