Memories of Balotelli the bad boy with heart of gold
MARIO Balotelli was the clown prince of City – an extravagantly gifted footballer with a crazy lifestyle. He did outrageous things, on the field and off it.
And if you ask any Blue what he thinks about the Italian and you will get a different answer, ranging from outright hostility to undying love.
Balotelli could be brilliant one moment, half-volleying a quarter-chance into the top corner with nonchalant disinterest and then going missing for 85 minutes, much to the ire of fans and teammates.
Former City physio Paul Webster, who worked closely with the Italian after surgery, revealed how “Super Mario” had a heart of gold, and could be sensitive and thoughtful.
Webster was flown out to Italy for a week to look after Balotelli’s recuperation from surgery and booked into a hotel just along the road from Balotelli’s apartment.
That sparked some bittersweet memories for the sports therapist, as he had spent his honeymoon just down the road at Lake Garda in 2004 – but had to fly home early after suffering an excruciating back injury.
But the early return turned into a blessing as he arrived home to discover a message on his answerphone saying he had a job interview at City, which resulted in him joining the Blues for 12 years.
He related his honeymoon story to Balotelli, who kept quiet but was clearly forming a plan.
Said Webster: “He went away and ten minutes later a driver knocked on my door and said ‘Come on, I’m taking you to Lake Garda’.
“This driver drove me to the lake, and we stopped at the hotel my wife and I had stayed, treated me to a lovely meal.
“Mario had sorted it all out – he has a heart of gold. I was in Italy with him for a week and he made me really welcome.”
Webster, who now runs his own sports therapy sessions based at Burnage Rugby Club, still remembers that 2011-12 season with the greatest fondness – and says people should not underestimate Balotelli’s contribution.
“Mancini knew what he could do on the pitch and if you look at that season a lot of pivotal moments were down to him,” said Webster. WITH Aleksandar Kolarov poised to join Roma, the clear-out of City’s full backs is almost complete.
The Blues had already shed Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy from last season and when Kolarov – who still has a year left on his current deal – revealed he wants to return to Italy, City were not about to stand in his way. But that leaves Pep Guardiola with just new boy Kyle Walker at right back and with NO left backs – he had to play both Fernandinho and Eliaquim Mangala there in the defeat against United in Houston.
City are still trying to land Benjamin Mendy but Monaco are playing hardball over his fee, with reports suggesting that Monaco have upped the price to match the £50m, which City could eventually have to pay for Walker. They are also close to securing a £26.5m deal for versatile Real Madrid man Danilo – who will instantly add to Guardiola’s options at right back, left back and defensive midfield.
But Guardiola urged for patience and calm, with City fans increasingly alarmed at the situation, as the season is just three weeks away.
He played Fernandinho in that position in an emergency last season, and the Brazilian did well, but it is not a solution Guardiola would wish to contemplate regularly.
“Fernandinho has a huge heart, so if you ask him to play in there it doesn’t matter – in any position, he does it,” said Guardiola. “It’s not easy to find that kind of player. Of course, it’s not his position and needed an effort to play in that position, but he did it, and that’s why I am very pleased, with guys who think about the group.
“We need players in that position