Ligue 1
Balotelli to Marseille: New Hope for Mario?
As of 22nd January 2019, Mario Balotelli will be joining Olympique Marseille from OGC Nice. The deal was reported by two of Italy’s most reliable sources namely Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano. Majority of the details of the deal are still undisclosed. However it is most likely a loan deal. The Italian will fly to Marseille for his medicals on the 23rd.
Good Signing for Both Parties?
Marseille have an aging Konstantinos Mitroglou in their ranks are they could do with freshening up their frontline. Nice and Marseille are both level on points (31) and Nice are only behind on goal difference. Although Nice have been doing relatively well, Balotelli has not really been up to scratch for them this season. The Italian striker has played 10 games, started one and has provided just one assist. As for Mitroglou, the Greek international has scored three goals in 13 games but he has started only 6 of them.
Balotelli’s departure will free up Nice to invest in a new striker and Marseille could also have a new option up front. The contest between these two teams will turn out to be really interesting now. Both sides are within touching distance of the top four. Reinforcements in this winter window could provide exactly the kind of push they need.
Reignition for Super Mario?
If one had to sum up Balotelli and his career in one word, it would be turbulent. The Italian has played at 6 clubs across Europe. He has had his moments for sure. But Balotelli has been more under the limelight for things that are not necessarily football related. He had sparks of brilliance but he never made a sustained reputation for himself anywhere. He was tipped to be among the world’s elite but unfortunately he only showed why sporadically. Although he had a decent enough time at Milan and even initially at Nice, he is now off to another new club.
At 28 years old, the number 9 may well have a few more good years in his locker. With Marseille it looks like he will be an assured starter. And football is a highly unpredictable sport. So who knows, Mario Balotelli might yet have a few aces up his sleeve. It will certainly be interesting to see how he gets on in a new frontier in his life.
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