Mario Balotelli’s Struggles Continue at Genoa Amid Limited Playing Time

Mario Balotelli’s return to Serie A with Genoa has yet to bring the success the Italian forward had hoped for. After recent stints in Turkey and Switzerland, Balotelli joined Genoa a few months ago, but his role under coach Patrick Vieira has been limited, raising questions about his physical condition and overall performance.

Balotelli took to Instagram to address the ongoing rumors about his fitness. “I just want to say that I’m physically fine and have no issues, thank God. I’m saying this upfront in case any nonsense comes up in the future, as it has in the past during similar situations. Kisses to everyone and forza Genoa!” Balotelli wrote in an Instagram story.

Limited Opportunities Under Vieira’s Leadership

The post followed a game where Balotelli was not given any minutes on the field in Genoa’s recent 0-0 draw with Lecce, and he had not been included in the squad for their previous match against Empoli. Coach Patrick Vieira was asked about Balotelli’s absence after the Lecce match, but he declined to focus on the forward’s situation.

“Balotelli is an important player, but just like Sabelli and Vogliacco who didn’t play, they are all important to us. Sometimes I make decisions, but the most important thing is the club. If we all understand this, we’ll be satisfied,” Vieira explained.

Balotelli Still Searching for His Best Form

The 34-year-old striker joined Genoa in late October and started with a few consecutive appearances off the bench. However, in his last four games, he has played only 10 minutes in a match against Napoli. His limited playing time, along with concerns about his fitness, has sparked speculation about whether he will ever rediscover the form that once made him one of Italy’s standout players.

This marks Balotelli’s latest Serie A experience with Genoa, following a career that included stints at Inter Milan, AC Milan, Brescia, and Monza. He has also played for top clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Nice, Olympique Marseille, and Adana Demirspor, but has not been able to replicate the peak of his career, notably his standout performances at Euro 2012, where he was one of the top scorers and led Italy to the final.

• Fitness Claims: Balotelli addresses rumors about his fitness on social media, asserting that he is in good physical condition.
• Limited Playing Time: Balotelli has struggled to get minutes under coach Patrick Vieira, with only brief appearances in recent matches.
• Genoa’s Challenges: The forward has yet to make a significant impact at Genoa, raising doubts about his future performances.
• Past Glory: Balotelli’s career, which once saw him shine at Euro 2012, has faced many ups and downs, with questions about whether he can rediscover his best form.