Everybody loves a good homecoming story, especially when it involves the world’s favorite Italian bad boy, Mario Balotelli. Following a lackluster season at Liverpool, in which Balotelli scored just four goals in all competitions and just one in the Premier League, Balotelli is going back to AC Milan where he enjoyed much goalscoring success.
Milan announced on Tuesday that Mario Balotelli is rejoining the team on a one-year loan, curiously, though, Milan have not included an option to buy clause, perhaps a result of just how far Balotelli’s stock has fallen since leaving Milan a year ago.
Make no mistake about it though, the man is full of talent and has fire in his scoring boots. During his first spell at the San Siro, he scored 30 goals in 54 appearances. A Balotelli on form is full of flair with an eye for the spectacular.
However along with the genius side of Balotelli comes the other side: he is perhaps best known for his crazy bad-boy antics. From setting a fire in his home during his time at Manchester City to fall-outs with managers and teammates, Super Mario’s presence in a dressing room can be seen as both a blessing and a curse. He reputation precedes him so much that apparently the Rossoneri have inserted a good behavior clause in his contract that bans him from getting any extravagant haircuts and clothing, while also obviously monitoring his volatile behavior off the pitch and on social media.
AC Milan needs Balotelli to behave off the pitch so he can perform well on the pitch. Milan can use all the help they can get. Gone are the glory days of Milan being respected as one of the top sides in Europe (even though they hold the second most European Cups, with seven) as they have finished below the Serie A’s top 6 in the last two seasons.
But fear not Milan fans, there is cause for optimism. Asian property tycoon, Bee Taechaubol closed a deal this month with Milan majority owner Silvio Berlusconi to purchase 48% of the club. The deal is set to bring much needed money and investment to the notoriously frugal Italian giants.
Milan have had an interesting offseason so far. They have embarrassingly failed in moves for Jackson Martinez and much needed midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia. But have brought in Colombian sniper Carlos Bacca, forward Luiz Adriano, along with two Italian talents: the young defender Alessio Romagnoli and midfielder Andrea Bertolacci. All said, a stuttering start to the summer has seemed to level out for Milan.
So what does this season hold for Italy’s most decorated football club? Can Mr. Bee and Mr. Balotelli lead Milan back to the European promise land? Only time will tell, but here is hoping:
Forza Rossoneri! Forza Super Mario!
