Balotelli: I joined Dubai Collaboration simply to enjoy the game; I want to keep playing.

Whenever the name Mario Balotelli is mentioned, especially in Italy, it almost always evokes a sense of regret. People can't help but wonder, "What if things had been different?" Everyone sighs for this player, because he possessed the talent to become one of the best in the world.

But when you meet him face-to-face and see the smile on his face, you'll find that this 36-year-old striker has displayed an unexpected wisdom and maturity. His analysis of the current predicament of Italian football and the disappearance of the sport's street culture is remarkably clear. When Balotelli reflects on what he would say to his younger self, it's also evident that he has finally reconciled with his tumultuous story and is no longer chasing unfulfilled expectations.

Balotelli joined Dubai Collaboration in the UAE purely to enjoy the game, rediscover the purest joy on the pitch, and fulfill his family dream of playing alongside his brother Enoch. He said, "To be honest, the idea came to me almost at the last minute. The president wanted to see me, and we talked. This plan interested me. People always say, 'You're going to Dubai for the money,' but thank God, I don't need that. So, money isn't the only goal. This plan is actually very good and competitive. I became more and more fond of the idea, so I decided to give it a try."

The reality of playing in the Middle East contrasts sharply with Balotelli's past experiences. He said, "In terms of infrastructure, it's excellent. The stadiums are beautiful. The problem is the crowd: nobody showed up, which is a bit sad. The organization is also slightly lacking, but I think they'll improve over time. I'm talking about all the teams." Speaking about playing with his brother, he said, "It's wonderful. We've always said since we were kids that we'd play together someday. He would always ask me, 'If you go to Inter, Milan, or Manchester City, how can I play with you?' I used to tell him that when I'm older, maybe I'll go to a slightly lower-level team, and then they might give us that opportunity. It's always been a dream, and now it's coming true."

Despite being in a new environment, Balotelli remains acutely aware of the deep-seated problems in his home country's football, especially after Italy's three consecutive World Cup failures. He said, "In my opinion, the problem is quite simple. I'd rather offer some practical explanations than technical ones, based on everyday life and everything I've seen in Italy."

“When we were kids, we would play for hours. I remember my mom would often get angry if I didn’t come home when it got dark and I couldn’t see the ball anymore. They would threaten me, saying I wasn’t allowed to go out to play football the next day. But now, when I walk in a city like Brescia—and I see that in other Italian cities too—the parks are empty, and there’s not a single person around.”

Balotelli continued, “Computers, phones, and game consoles have ruined a lot of things. Most importantly, parents’ attitudes have changed. Now a seven-year-old only plays football for two hours every three days. We had the same training system back then, and we would play in the park for three hours every day. Although it looked like play, it was actually extra training. I truly believe that talent grows from the streets and parks. The more you play, the more you learn, and you also compete with older kids. If you play well, they won’t let you play with kids your own age, but will let you play with older kids. Those challenges helped me a lot later on. Playing with people older than me has always been one of the most important things in my career.”

“Kids these days are all on their phones. They watch Ronaldinho videos and think they’re like Ronaldinho. The reason I think I’m like Ronaldo is because I can actually do those moves in the park. It’s completely different.”

Despite his pessimism about the current state of Italian football, the striker, who has made 36 appearances and scored 14 goals for the Italian national team, still believes the future will be better. He said, "Yes, I have confidence in the next generation. Maybe not immediately, but we will see changes in the next two or three generations. It's normal for a country to have a trough, but it will always bounce back. Spain, France, and Germany have all gone through such phases."

When discussing the national team, Roberto Mancini is unavoidable. Mancini, now back as head coach, is Balotelli's mentor and a key figure in the most successful phase of his career. He revealed, "He texted me to wish me a happy birthday, and I joked, 'Look, I can still play!'" Balotelli said, "I'm happy he's back with the national team. I like him a lot and wish him all the best. In Italy, people often easily shift the blame to the coach, but honestly, the system should bear more responsibility. That's the truth, but nobody wants to say it."

Interestingly, Balotelli's last appearance for Italy was on September 7, 2018, against Poland in Bologna. That match was also Mancini's first official game as national team coach. So, under Mancini, can Balotelli return to the Italian national team? He answered decisively: "If I continue to score goals, of course."

Balotelli's time in England remains a highlight of his tumultuous career, especially his three years at Manchester City, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup under Mancini. He said: "That's still one of the best memories of my career. Manchester City wasn't as famous as it is today. We joined that team and witnessed Manchester City taking its first steps towards becoming the team it is today. It brings a special feeling. To be honest, it means a lot more."

As his career enters its twilight years, Balotelli's goals are clear. He said, "I feel great. I'm recovering from a bit of a leg problem, but training continues and is progressing well. The weather is hot, which makes it difficult to go all out, but if you manage your energy properly and play intelligently, you can still play quite well. The high temperature is certainly a disadvantage."

"On the field, as long as I feel okay, I want to keep playing. Playing football is what I love, and as long as my body hasn't told me 'enough,' I'll continue. As for off the field, after I retire, I definitely want to manage my own business and focus on my children. But I'd prefer a more peaceful life. My career has been very busy, so a more stable life wouldn't be a bad thing."

If Balotelli could give his 16-year-old self one piece of advice, what would he say? He said, "I would tell him not to make certain choices," he added, "and to listen to certain people at certain times."