Balotelli in transfer talks 11 years after title heroics

Ex-Manchester City forward and free agent Mario Balotelli is currently in negotiations with Brazilian outfit Corinthians following his release last month.

The 33-year-old has had a rollercoaster career on and off the pitch, and his time in England might be more memorable for his escapades away from football than his exploits in the Premier League, with the Italian having been involved in several controversies and memorable moments.

Balotelli was a promising 20-year-old when he arrived at City, clinching the Golden Boy Award in his debut season under the guidance of Roberto Mancini.

However, his tenure at City took a nosedive due to disciplinary problems, culminating in his departure to AC Milan in 2013. Liverpool gambled £16million on the mercurial striker a year-and-a-half later. But the move proved calamitous, yielding just four goals in 28 appearances across all competitions before he returned to Milan on loan the subsequent summer.

Balotelli won the Premier League with City in 2011/12 as well as the FA Cup the year before. However, it was his cameo in the famous game against QPR that saw him help City win their first top-flight title since 1968.

Although he only made 54 appearances for City, the Italian became a cult hero as he set up Segio Aguero to score one of English football’s most famous goals on the final day vs QPR. He also scored twice as City humiliated city rivals United at Old Trafford in an iconic 6-1 humbling.

Having had spells in France, Switzerland, and Turkey, Balotelli is now apparently exploring an opportunity to continue his career in South America with the storied Brazilian side Corinthians.