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Mario

By Caleb IdrisPublished 2 years ago 3 min read

Title: The Rise of Mario Balotelli: From Youth Prodigy to Stardom

Introduction:
Mario Balotelli's journey in the world of football is nothing short of remarkable. From a young age, his talent was evident, and he quickly rose through the ranks, breaking records and making a name for himself. In this story, we'll take a chronological look at his early career, highlighting key moments that shaped him into the football superstar we know today.

1. Early Days at A.C. Lumezzane (2001-2006):
Mario Balotelli's football journey began at A.C. Lumezzane in 2001. At the age of 15, he made his first-team debut on April 2, 2006, against Padova. What made this debut even more exceptional was that, to play for a professional Serie C team, one typically had to be 16. Mario became the youngest player ever in the history of this category, a testament to his exceptional talent.

2. FC Barcelona and Return to Italy (2006-2007):
After an unsuccessful stint at FC Barcelona at the age of 15, Mario's career took a turn. Italian giants Internazionale noticed his potential in 2006. He spent a season on loan at San Siro, not starting any matches that season. However, his training and skills caught the eye, earning him a permanent contract a year later.

3. Serie A Debut and Early Impact (2007-2008):
On December 16, 2007, Mario made his Serie A debut for Inter when he came on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Cagliari. He announced himself in the league with a clinical brace in a Coppa Italia match against Reggina, followed by influential performances against arch-rivals Juventus in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. In April 2008, he scored his first Serie A goal in a 2-0 away win against Atlanta, helping Inter secure the 2007-08 Serie A title.

4. Supercoppa Italiana Glory (2008):
Balotelli's impact continued in the 2008 Supercoppa Italiana final against AS Roma. As a substitute, he replaced veteran Luís Figo and scored a crucial goal in the 83rd minute. Inter went on to win the final 6-5 on penalties.

5. Champions League Record (2008):
Mario Balotelli's name entered the record books when he became the youngest player to score in the Champions League for Inter Milan. At just 18 years and 85 days old, he found the net in a 3-3 draw against Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.

6. Years of Glory with Inter (2007-2010):
Balotelli was part of Inter Milan's golden era, securing three consecutive Serie A titles from 2007 to 2010. During this period, he also won an Italian Super Cup and an Italian Cup. However, the pinnacle of his time with Inter was clinching the coveted Champions League title.

Charities he supports:
Rehabilitation work of Casa Del Sole Onlus, a non-profit organization for children, Curtatone (Mantova).
Proactively participated in setting up of a secondary school in Cuey Machar, a small village in south of Sudan, which was incidentally the birthplace of Marioai??i??s friend John Kon Kelei, a former child soldier. As there was no secondary school in the village, Mario took the initiative to build the school to give Sudanese children a better alternative to fighting weapons.
MAi??decins Sans FrontiA?res which means Doctors Without Borders is an international organization which facilitates sending quick reaction team of doctors to crisis areas throughout the world.
ai???One bridge for the futureai??? is a project, which is committed to offer help to local associations in Mata Escura favela, which in turn provide education to the children who otherwise indulge in crimes and other unlawful activities, hence running their childhood.
Mario Balotelli has definitely not had the best of the times in Italy. But we know that football has always offered a great source of strength. Despite of the emotional draw towards Italy, because of his family, Mario has now settled quite well in his ninth floor penthouse flat in Manchester. His confidence is certainly buoyed by little congratulatory notes which are stuck on his door and the bottles of wine presented to him on Christmas by his neighbors. Mario makes sure that he visits Knowsley Safari Park as he nurses a huge interest in Wildlife.

Conclusion:
Mario Balotelli's early career showcased the incredible potential and talent that would later define his football journey. From breaking age records to making vital contributions in big matches, his time at A.C. Lumezzane and Internazionale set the stage for a career filled with highs and memorable moments.

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