"Super Mario" vs "Mad Mario" - A comparison

Before you go down memory lane, to your childhood where a small-white Italian plumber would grow by eating magic mushrooms and shrink after being struck by turtles, you should realize that this article isn’t meant to take you down that path. It is to compare the class, the antics, the lifestyle and the attitudes of the “Marios” of present day football – Mario Gomez and Mario Balotelli or as I call them “Super Mario” and “Mad Mario” respectively.

• Super Mario

Gomez has embraced the spirit of the beautiful game to its fullest extent. One can seldom see him trip anywhere on the field, let alone the penalty box, just for the sake of fouls. He relies completely on his striking prowess, which are, as statistics show, unquestionable. He has till now scored 17 goals for Bayern Munich in 19 matches (a valuable contribution considering FC Bayern are at the top of the Bundesliga table). Gomez has always been a prized possession for whichever team he played for. When Stuttgart became champions in the Bundesliga in 2006-07, Gomez ended the season with 14 goals and was selected German Footballer Of the Year. His record-signing to the Germany’s premier club Bayern Munich was therefore not a surprise. However a poor run of form in the earlier stages of his Bayern life put his future at the club in doubt. Said Franz Beckenbauer when discussing his signing,

“Honestly, Mario Gomez is a puzzle to me. He is the only one who seems to have not developed like the rest of the team”

His current run of form has no doubt answered the heavy panning from football critics. He has transformed into a magical marksman with 54 goals in 74 Bundesliga games for the club. He has scored six goals in five Champions Leagues matches, equaling the goal tally with none other than Messi. German National Team coach Joachim Loew believes that lineup that includes the likes of Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Kroos, Lahm, Robben and Boateng with Gomez in the front is priceless, further stating that “Gomez’s skills are outstanding”. Critics are in awe of him. Said one such fellow,

“If someone is playing such dominant football in the Bundesliga, one of the strongest leagues in the world, then you have to rate him as world-class”

• Mad Mario

Cut to England, where an Italian renegade holds the distinction for being famous and infamous for his actions at the same time. Balotelli, has by far been the most temperamental player in the EPL, where he plays for Man City. From two-footed challenges, to removing his shirt and proclaiming “Why Always Me?”, to stomping on Tottenham man Scott Parker, “accidently”, Balotelli has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Although he has been credited with pace, a powerful shot and technical ability, he has been heavily criticised for a petulant attitude. Numerous instances in the past and the present are examples to support the same. During an exhibition match against LA Galaxy, a sublime throughball from David Silva found its way to Balotelli who promptly squandered it for no rhyme or reason by attempting a half-hearted backheel roulette. An angry Mancini, who has been his manager at both Inter and Man City, substituted him by bringing on Milner in the 28th minute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YsN6svBWYg0

Another instance was of the time when he was a striker at Inter Milan. After the semi-final match against Barcelona, he threw his jersey on the ground after the final whistle, in response to Inter fans who had booed him for his poor performance. This led to an attempt by a small group of supporters to physically attack Balotelli after the end of the game. His behaviour brought disapproval from fans, team-mates and football pundits. Public hatred towards him was exemplified when on 5th November 2011, a 12 metre tall effigy of Balotelli was burnt in Edinburgh as part of a fireworks display (since Balotelli was an ambassador of fireworks safety).

However mercurial his playing style may be, one thing is for certain, his skills cannot be doubted. He has a unique ability to play anywhere along the front line. He is also regarded a set-piece specialist and a promising striker. Mancini once said in a statement that summarizes the way Balotelli lives life and plays football,

“He’s Mario. He’s crazy – but I love him because he’s a good guy.”