Former Inter Milan Marco Materazzi has reflected on Mario Balotelli’s career with a mix of affection and regret.
Materazzi, who played alongside Balotelli during his early years at Inter, describes the striker’s immense talent and potential. “Mario is like a son to me: I adore him,” Materazzi said.
Materazzi praises Balotelli’s early promise, saying, “I have never seen a young player at 17 like Mario. He was incredible: he played as if he had five years of experience. Strong, fast, with fantastic technique.” However, Materazzi believes Balotelli’s career was hindered by his early success and lack of discipline. “He got lost along the way because at 17 he had already won everything… He needed a kick, a reality check. He needed my rules.”
Despite Balotelli’s talent, his career has been marked by instability and off-field distractions. Now 33 is not mentioned it said he is 34, Materazzi maintains a friendly relationship with Balotelli, who currently plays for Genoa. Materazzi’s comments suggest a paternal concern for Balotelli’s career trajectory, highlighting the challenges he faced in balancing his talent with the demands of professional football.
