The strange case of 'super' Mario Balotelli

The 80s was a much simpler decade, ‘Super Mario’ was nothing but a protagonist of a Nintendo video game who spent his time banging his head against bricks,stomping on turtles,jumping on enemies and collecting coins. Now, the name ‘Super Mario’ is quite synonymous with Mario Balotelli – football’s exceptionally gifted, big, bad quintessential 21st century star.

The similarities are uncanny and do not end with foolish enemies. Rewind your memories back to Balotelli’s most famous (and photo-shopped) on-field moment – after stomping the ball in the net against Germany – when he took off his shirt, threw it to the ground and stood flexing his muscles with an expression of defiance. He looked almost similar to his virtual namesake,who after capturing a ‘star’ became temporarily invincible and capable of defeating anybody on contact – anybody but himself.

“We don’t have a Messi,but we have a Balotelli,” is how Adriano Galliani, president of AC Milan, chose to voice the opinion of millions that feel he has the potential to become one of the greats of the sport, when he signed Mario from Manchester City in the January transfer window. With the football fraternity salivating as he takes up the mantle of spearheading one of potentially Europe’s most potent strike force, the Rossoneri for their part are counting on the No. 45 to become the rock on which they can build their paradise island and restore the fans’ and sponsors’ faith, which had sunk even below Milan’s league standing.

Whether it’s a move that could potentially bring back some stardom to the Serie A is something time will tell, but for now, it looks like this buy l might just be one of Berlusconi’s best bargains ever.

For now, Italy’s first black footballer might just be Serie A’s saviour. At a time when finances are touching new lows, trophy signings are a thing of the past and anyone with an aspiration for European glory is crossing borders as soon as possible, Mario, with his arrogant swagger and knack for drawing global headlines and attention, could be just what the doctor ordered. Moreover, if his partnership with El Shaarawy lives up to even a fraction of their promised potential for the national side, Cesare Prandelli together with the rest of Italy, are going to be a very happy bunch.

Mario-ism

The combination of talent, unpredictability and turbulence always makes for a fascinating study, but in Mario’s case it’s unique, for Italy (or Europe actually), hasn’t quite seen anything like him. Sporting the unmistakable flair of prodigy, Mario promised much when he signed with Inter Milan at the age of 16,and delivered little (28 goals in 86 games),and then again with Manchester City,where his most notable contribution might well have been the whooping 300,000 that he paid in fines to the club for disciplinary issues.

Column time and airtime have been filled with football pundits discussing, arguing, wondering and criticizing the complex personality that is Mario Balotelli, but no one has been able to get inside his mind. How can they, when the same guy that’s unable to put on a bib and cut wrapping paper without assistance, can twist through the best defenders on the pitch with astounding grace, speed and sheer skill.

How can the same man that brutually rips off the lens of a photographer’s camera in the tunnel for taking his pictures and refuses to talk to a publication because they’ve ‘been bad to him’, accompany a little unknown boy to his school to sort out differences with his classmates? How does the same befuddled mind who throws straws at his teammates because he’s bored during a practice session,turn into a lesson in concentration each time he steps up to take a penalty.

Some would call it a split personality disorder, but the ones that know him just call it Mario-ism. His Mohawk and swelling fame notwithstanding, he appears to be a child trapped in a Superhero’s body and his goal celebrations are a proof of that. Is it any wonder then that unpredictability is fast emerging as Mario’s defining quality as he gears to play for the club of his dreams?

The impact of Mario’s arrival has been instant. He scored a brace in his debut and in total has scored 12 goals in 13 matches for the Red and Blacks. He’s been every bit as captivating in demeanour and performance as one would expect from him. The results are there for all to see – from struggling to break into the top-half of the table before Christmas, they finished the season in third position in the league.

The stage is set. Signed by the club he dreamt of playing for as a child, they’ve entrusted him with a never-before pivotal role in a team hoping that he seizes it with both hands (or legs). Only time will tell if what he does with the football at his feet will form the headline or footnote of his mercurial career.