#10 Mario Balotelli
An Italian journalist once described Mario Balotelli’s career, saying:
“The strange thing about Balotelli is that champagne corks are popped when he arrives but also when he leaves.”
The Italian’s talent is without question, as managers of the calibre of Jose Mourinho, Roberto Mancini and Cesare Prandelli have tried but failed to harness Balotelli's skills.
Steven Gerrard even went so far as to say that he was a ‘spectacular waste of talent’, highlighting how Balotelli plays for the Italian shirt with pride and endeavour while barely strutting about in the Liverpool jersey.
Balotelli’s off-field antics are well-known, although clubs have recently begun inserting ‘good behaviour’ contracts in his clauses. However, Balotelli still seeks the limelight with his social media posts, often stirring up a hornet’s nest with his comments.
The Italian was described as ‘unmanageable’ by Jose Mourinho, while Jurgen Klopp also allowed him to leave Liverpool.
After spells at Nice, Marseille, Brescia and Monza, Balotelli currently plays for Adana Demirspor in Turkey.
A rather tragic state for a player once considered the best talent in football after Messi and Ronaldo.