Mario Balotelli’s stint at Genoa, which began just a month and a half ago, is not living up to expectations. The former Italian international striker, once hailed as a potential game-changer for the Rossoblu, finds himself in a precarious position after a series of brief appearances and a recent full-match benching against his former club AC Milan.
Calciomercato report that the situation has fueled speculation about Balotelli’s future at the club, with rumours suggesting he might depart as early as January. Adding weight to these rumours, Genoa’s local edition of Repubblica has revealed a clause in Balotelli’s contract that would allow him to terminate his agreement prematurely, despite it being set to expire on June 30, 2025.
Despite his limited playing time, Balotelli has not yet indicated any desire to leave Genoa. He reportedly feels comfortable in the city and remains confident that he will eventually carve out the role he believes he deserves. However, circumstances have changed since his arrival. Initially brought in at the request of former manager Alberto Gilardino, Balotelli now finds himself under the guidance of Patrick Vieira following Gilardino’s dismissal on November 7th after a home draw against Como.
Vieira’s appointment presents a potential complication for Balotelli. The two have a history from their time at Nice, where their relationship was marked by tensions. Since Vieira took over at Genoa, Balotelli has seen his playing time reduced to just three appearances totalling 27 minutes.
To compound matters, Balotelli is currently battling a bout of influenza, which may sideline him for upcoming training sessions and potentially Saturday’s match against Napoli. This setback further complicates his efforts to establish himself in the team and prove his worth to the new manager.
