What can you say about Mario Balotelli? He may be arrogant, he may be overly confident, he may get too many yellow cards, but say what you want because the fact of the matter is that the 18 year old Inter striker is the real deal. Balotelli is easily Italy’s best young talent and is definitely a future superstar. Technique, power, agility, speed, Balotelli has it all and the future is his (as long as he keeps his head on straight). The latest example of his talent came yesterday in Italy’s U21 play-off in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Balotelli missed the first leg because of the flu and Italy were drab and uninspired in the 0-0 draw. He recovered for the second leg and started upfront. In the 4th minute Italy obtained a free kick from around 35 yards out. Balotelli stepped up to take it, and this happened:
A perfect free kick, hit with power and accuracy that just blazed into the top corner. (Thank God Giovinco was suspended or else Balotelli wouldn’t be taking that free kick, if anyone remembers Giovinco went on a little rant a month ago saying how he has seniority on the U21 squad when it comes to free kicks). All I can say about that goal is “wow”. In the 25th minute, he then decided to do this:
And now his record with the U21 is 3 games, 3 goals. Italy second another later on in the game through the excellent Ignazio Abate, but Italy can thank Balotelli for their qualification to the Euro U21 2009 tournament in Sweden this summer.
Source:
http://italy.theoffside.com