William Gallas

Personal information
Full name	William Eric Gallas[1]
Date of birth	(1977-08-17) 17 August 1977 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth	Asnières-sur-Seine, France
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Tottenham Hotspur
Number	13
Youth career
1987–1992	AVG Football
1992–1993	RCF Paris
1992–1994	INF Clairefontaine
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1995–1997	Caen	34	(0)
1997–2001	Marseille	85	(2)
2001–2006	Chelsea	159	(14)
2006–2010	Arsenal	101	(15)
2010–	Tottenham Hotspur	39	(0)
National team‡
1997	France U20	3	(0)
1997–1998	France U21	11	(0)
2002–2010	France	84	(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:00, 29 April 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2010

William Eric Gallas (French pronunciation: [wiljam ɡalas]; born 17 August 1977) is a French footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur. Gallas began his career in France, before being signed by English club Chelsea in 2001. He transferred to rivals Arsenal as part of an exchange deal in 2006. While his career has been marked by both individual and team successes – including Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 – he has also encountered controversy as a consequence of his on-field behaviour and friction with other personnel. In 2007, he was named Arsenal's captain, but was removed from the role during the 2008–09 season after criticising teammates in a media interview. Gallas left Arsenal at the end of the 2009–10 season, when his contract expired.

Background[link]

Gallas was born in Asnières-sur-Seine. He is the cousin of fellow footballer Ludovic Quistin^[4] and of Mathieu Bastareaud, a French rugby union centre playing for Stade Français.^[5]

Club career[link]

Early career[link]

A graduate of the French Football academy at Clairefontaine, Gallas started his professional career at second division SM Caen, helping them to promotion as champions in 1996. He was subsequently transferred to Olympique Marseille in 1997. Gallas spent four seasons at Marseille, where he played alongside Robert Pirès among others. He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League playing for Marseille, and he also played against Chelsea in that competition in 2000.

Caen[link]

1995–1997, Gallas was sent to Caen which was to be the start of his career in football.

Chelsea[link]

Then Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri bought Gallas from Marseille in May 2001 for £6.2 million.^[6][7] He chose the number 13 shirt because it was his postcode back where he lived in Marseille (Marseille is in the Bouches du Rhône département of France where all addresses begin with a 13). Under Ranieri, Gallas developed centre-back partnerships with Marcel Desailly and later with John Terry; his partnership with Terry included a run of 16 games without conceding a single goal. He also played as a right-back at times. It was with Chelsea and under Ranieri where Gallas obtained his first international cap.

Gallas was part of Chelsea's team which won back-to-back Premier League titles and a League Cup under Ranieri's successor José Mourinho. The Blues also made the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League that year, but were knocked out by Liverpool 1–0 in controversial circumstances. Gallas cleared the ball, after it was adjuged to have crossed the line. Due to a serious injury to left-back Wayne Bridge in 2004–05 Gallas was forced to play out of position. Despite the purchase of Asier del Horno from Athletic Bilbao for £8 million in the 2005 close season, Gallas found himself often playing on the left, a situation he got increasingly frustrated with. However Gallas scored some vital goals as Chelsea retained their title in the 2005-06 in English football season at Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Gallas's contract with Chelsea was due to expire in May 2007. He refused to sign a new contract with Chelsea on improved terms after saying the club did not offer him enough money and expressed a wish to play in Serie A, with Juventus and A.C. Milan both interested.^{[citation needed]} Chelsea however did not agree to a transfer request by the player in May 2006, as they considered Gallas an important first team member.

After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Gallas refused to turn up at Chelsea's crowded ranks of defenders at Stamford Bridge, so Chelsea signed Dutch international centre back Khalid Boulahrouz, though in his single season at Chelsea, Boulahrouz would play almost exclusively as a fullback.

On 1 September 2006, Gallas transferred to Arsenal as part of a deal that brought Ashley Cole to Chelsea^[8] and Arsenal also received the sum of £5 million. After the transfer, Chelsea issued a statement that Gallas threatened to deliberately score own goals if he was not allowed to leave Chelsea.^[9] Gallas rejected Chelsea's claim and accused the West Londoners of "lack[ing] class" and "hiding behind false accusations."^[10] Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea manager who signed Gallas from Marseille, said of the allegations: "I cannot believe these stories. It is absolutely incredible. I signed William and he was always a good professional on the pitch. Of course, I don't know what has happened in the last two years." Among the Chelsea faithful, Gallas's departure turned him almost instantly from a hero into an object of hatred. PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor declared that the whole episode has left a "bad taste in the mouth" and that Chelsea's statement should be taken "with a large pinch of salt."

Arsenal[link]

2006–07 season[link]

Gallas applauding supporters.

Gallas signed a four-year contract with Arsenal, where he took the number 10 shirt vacated by the recently-retired Dennis Bergkamp. In an October 2006 interview with the official team magazine, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger explained his decision to hand him the squad number 10 (traditionally a forward's number), "Number three was uncomfortable for him and I had given the rest of the numbers out. In the end I thought it might be a good idea to give the number ten to a defender, because a striker would suffer a lot with the comparison with Dennis. At first I was reluctant to give Dennis's number out, and especially to a defender, but overall I think it's better that way."

Gallas made his full debut for the Gunners at left-back in the team's 1–1 home draw against Middlesbrough on 9 September 2006 and scored his first goal against Sheffield United on 23 September 2006.

2007–08 season[link]

Gallas was confirmed as Arsenal captain on 9 August 2007, with Kolo Touré, serving as vice-captain. This caused some controversy as Gilberto Silva was expected to receive the captain's arm band. Many people have questioned Wenger for this decision. His first competitive game as Arsenal captain was on 12 August 2007 against Fulham, which ended in a 2–1 victory for Arsenal.^[11] Gallas suffered a groin injury in the game against Blackburn on 19 August, but returned to play for Arsenal in their 2–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on 20 October. In the traditional Arsenal vs Manchester United clash at the Emirates Stadium on 3 November, he scored a last minute goal to give the Gunners a draw.

On 24 November 2007, Gallas scored against Wigan when Bacary Sagna crossed in and Gallas fired a header through the arms of Wigan's goalkeeper Mike Pollitt to open the deadlock.

On 16 December 2007 Gallas scored against his old club Chelsea, which was to be the only goal in the match to secure 3 points for Arsenal. Gallas later reflected on his goal against former club Chelsea, claiming that "When Cesc sent the corner in for my goal, I saw Petr Čech come off his line and to be honest I was sure he would catch it. So I was surprised when he didn't take it, and it was just a reflex reaction to head it into the goal. I just happened to be there at the right time".^{[12][verification needed]}

Gallas attracted some criticism as a result of his actions in a 2–2 draw against Birmingham City on 23 February 2008—a game in which his teammate Eduardo da Silva had his leg broken following a challenge by Martin Taylor. When Gaël Clichy of Arsenal conceded a penalty in injury time at the end of the second half, Gallas walked into the Birmingham half, apparently in protest. He stood there as Birmingham striker James McFadden converted the penalty. He then had to be restrained as he appeared to confront the crowd in fury. After the final whistle, Gallas sat down on the pitch as the rest of the players left the field before being consoled by manager Arsène Wenger.

Gallas also scored for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in a 2–3 win on 29 March 2008, starting the comeback which 10-man Arsenal ultimately completed.

Amid speculation that Gallas would be replaced as club captain following his behaviour during the Birmingham City game, Wenger said that he would consider the matter at the end of the season.^[13]

2008–09 season[link]

In August 2008, it was announced that Gallas would remain the club's captain for the 2008–2009 season.^[14] In the 2008–09 season, Gallas proved especially prolific in the Champions League. He scored 6 goals in Arsenal's campaign, including two against FC Twente and an equalizer against Dynamo Kiev as well as a header against Spurs.

On 29 October 2008, he scored his first league goal of the season against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, scoring Arsenal's second goal in an incredible 4–4 draw.

On 8 November 2008, in a 2–1 victory over Manchester United, he received praise for his display whilst playing alongside former United defender Mikaël Silvestre. It was claimed he outshone United defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić.^[15]

In November, Gallas gave an interview to the Associated Press in which he revealed tensions within the squad which were disruptive to team morale, and suggested that Arsenal's younger players needed to show more courage if they were to be successful.^[16][17] He was dropped from the squad for the next match, against Manchester City, and was reported to have been fined two weeks' wages.^[18] Reports that he had been stripped of the captaincy permanently^[19] were confirmed by Arsenal on 24 November; he was succeeded by Cesc Fàbregas. Wenger confirmed that Gallas still had a future with the club, contrary to media speculation, and Gallas played in the following day's Champions League match.^[20][21]

On 17 March 2009, Gallas scored the winner in a 2–1 win against Hull City in the quarter finals of the FA Cup.

On 10 April 2009, it was confirmed that Gallas would miss the remainder of the season after damaging the medial ligament in his right knee during the UEFA Champions League 2008-09 quarter-final first leg tie against Villareal CF. The match finished 1–1 with Gallas only lasting 43 minutes of the first half.

2009–10 season[link]

Despite enduring a below-par season, William Gallas started the 2009–10 campaign in fine form, scoring 3 goals in his first 3 games. He formed a partnership with Belgian centre back Thomas Vermaelen,^[22] Arsenal's only major summer signing, and the pair scored 7 goals between them in their first eight league games. On 22 August, in the first home game of the season, he scored a bizarre goal against Portsmouth; Vermaelen had attempted to score a slide-in from a corner kick but Gallas accidentally flicked the ball onto his face and it bounced into the net.^[23]

On 17 February, Gallas started his 100th league game for Arsenal in the 2–0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Gallas suffered an injury hit second half of the season and did not play for over two months, he was surprisingly included in the starting line up against FC Barcelona only to get stretchered off before halftime with a recurrence of the injury, It proved to be his last game for Arsenal. After talks over a new contract failed Gallas left the club over the summer as a free agent having made a total of 142 appearances and scoring 17 goals for the club.

On 28 April, Arsene Wenger announced that talks about Gallas' future will only go until end of May and that if an agreement was not reached by then, he would most likely leave the club.^[24] Public statements made by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood suggested that the club felt that the contractual demands made by Gallas were unreasonable and not made in good faith.^[25] It was reported that such demands included an £80,000 a week pay cheque over a two year period.

Tottenham Hotspur[link]

2010–11 season[link]

On the 20 August 2010 Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp confirmed that William Gallas was set to join the club and described the move as a "no-brainer".^[26] The transfer was confirmed on 22 August, with Gallas signing a one-year contract at White Hart Lane.^[27] According to Tottenham's club historian, the move meant that Gallas would become the first player to have appeared for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham (Clive Allen played for Tottenham and Chelsea and had a spell with Arsenal early in his career, but did not make an appearance for them).^[28] After training with his new team for the first time, Gallas stated that he believed that Spurs have the potential to win the Premier League.^[29]

Gallas made his Spurs first-team debut on 11 September in a 1–1 draw away at West Bromwich Albion.^[30] On 20 November, as a result of injuries to regular captains Ledley King and Michael Dawson, Gallas captained Tottenham for the first time against his former club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a famous 3–2 Tottenham victory, Spurs' first league victory at Arsenal since 1993. On 2 February 2011, Gallas partnered Sebastien Bassong at the back against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in their 1-0 midweek victory.^[31] Gallas continued to impress for Tottenham into 2011; in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages he put in two commanding performances against A.C. Milan to set up a quarter-final tie against Real Madrid in the club's first attempt in the competition.

Despite a season of frequent changes in defence for Tottenham due to a host of injuries to his fellow defenders, Gallas performed strongly throughout his first season with the club and was rewarded with a two year contract extension in March 2011, which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season.

In his debut season at Tottenham, he made 36 appearances in all competitions.^[32]

International career[link]

Gallas was a part of the France U-18 European Championship winning side. He also played for the France U-20 team in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship along with fellow Frenchmen Willy Sagnol and Thierry Henry.

He is now a regular member for France, having formed Raymond Domenech's first-choice centre-back partnership with Lilian Thuram during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2008. He made his full France debut in a 5–0 victory over Slovenia in a Euro 2004 qualifier on 12 October 2002, and was a member of the squad for the tournament's finals. He was in the 2003 Confederations Cup winning side, and more recently he was a member of the squad that reached the 2006 World Cup final. Following the World Cup, he criticised the Portugal team for diving, saying that when the French faced them in the semi-finals they needed to look out for their unfair style of play.^[33]

Gallas won his 50th cap for France in the 3–1 win against Italy on 6 September 2006 at the Stade de France in a Euro 2008 qualifying match.

Gallas is still eligible to represent Guadeloupe internationally as well, as they are not FIFA affiliated. His cousin, Ludovic Quistin, has represented Guadeloupe.^[4]

On 10 October, he scored for France against Faroe in the 53rd minute.

On 18 November he scored a goal against the Republic of Ireland in extra time of a World Cup playoff. The goal made the score 1–1, and 2–1 to France on aggregate. This meant that France qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The goal was controversial as it was scored after his teammate, Thierry Henry handled the ball twice.^[34]

On 30 May 2010, he scored the equalizer against Tunisia in the 63rd minute in a friendly match.

On 6 June 2011, aged 33 and with 84 caps to his name and 5 goals he announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect after he was again ignored by France coach Laurent Blanc.

International goals[link]

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	17 August 2005	Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France	Côte d'Ivoire	1 – 0	3–0	Friendly
2	16 August 2006	Kosevo Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1 – 1	1–2	Friendly
3	10 October 2009	Stade du Roudourou, Guingamp, France	Faroe Islands	3 – 0	5–0	2010 World Cup qualification
4	18 November 2009	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	Republic of Ireland	1 – 1	1–1	2010 World Cup qualification
5	30 May 2010	Stade 7 Novembre, Radès, Tunisia	Tunisia	1 – 1	1–1	Friendly

Statistics[link]

Stats accurate as of 15:24, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

^[35]

Honours[link]

Caen[link]

• Ligue 2: 1996

Chelsea[link]

• Premier League: 2004–05, 2005–06
• League Cup: 2005
• FA Community Shield: 2005

International[link]

• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2003

Individual[link]

• PFA Team of the Year (2003, 2006)
• ESM Team of the Year: 2007–08

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: William Gallas

• Official web site
• Profle page on Tottenham Hotspur website
• William Gallas profile at the French Football Federation official web site (French)
• William Gallas career stats at Soccerbase
• William Gallas at National-Football-Teams.com

France Squad v t e France squad – 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup Winners (2nd Title) 1 Landreau 2 Mexès 3 Lizarazu 4 Boumsong 5 Gallas 6 Dacourt 7 Pirès 8 Desailly (c) 9 Cissé 10 Giuly 11 Wiltord 12 Henry 13 Silvestre 14 Rothen 15 Thuram 16 Barthez 17 Kapo 18 Pedretti 19 Sagnol 20 Marlet 21 Dabo 22 Govou 23 Coupet Coach: Santini v t e France squad – UEFA Euro 2004 1 Landreau 2 Boumsong 3 Lizarazu 4 Vieira 5 Gallas 6 Makélélé 7 Pirès 8 Desailly (c) 9 Saha 10 Zidane 11 Wiltord 12 Henry 13 Silvestre 14 Rothen 15 Thuram 16 Barthez 17 Dacourt 18 Pedretti 19 Sagnol 20 Trezeguet 21 Marlet 22 Govou 23 Coupet Coach: Santini v t e France squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup Runners-up 1 Landreau 2 Boumsong 3 Abidal 4 Vieira 5 Gallas 6 Makélélé 7 Malouda 8 Dhorasoo 9 Govou 10 Zidane (c) 11 Wiltord 12 Henry 13 Silvestre 14 Saha 15 Thuram 16 Barthez 17 Givet 18 Diarra 19 Sagnol 20 Trezeguet 21 Chimbonda 22 Ribéry 23 Coupet Coach: Domenech v t e France squad – UEFA Euro 2008 1 Mandanda 2 Boumsong 3 Abidal 4 Vieira (c) 5 Gallas 6 Makélélé 7 Malouda 8 Anelka 9 Benzema 10 Govou 11 Nasri 12 Henry 13 Evra 14 Clerc 15 Thuram 16 Frey 17 Squillaci 18 Gomis 19 Sagnol 20 Toulalan 21 Diarra 22 Ribéry 23 Coupet Coach: Domenech v t e France squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup 1 Lloris 2 Sagna 3 Abidal 4 Réveillère 5 Gallas 6 Planus 7 Ribéry 8 Gourcuff 9 Cissé 10 Govou 11 Gignac 12 Henry 13 Evra (c) 14 Toulalan 15 Malouda 16 Mandanda 17 Squillaci 18 Diarra 19 Diaby 20 Valbuena 21 Anelka 22 Clichy 23 Carrasso Coach: Domenech

Mario Balotelli

Balotelli playing for Inter in 2009.
Personal information
Full name	Mario Barwuah Balotelli[1]
Date of birth	(1990-08-12) 12 August 1990 (age 21)[2]
Place of birth	Palermo, Italy
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[3]
Playing position	Striker[2]
Club information
Current club	Manchester City
Number	45
Youth career
2001–2005	Lumezzane
2006–2007	Internazionale
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005–2006	Lumezzane	2	(0)
2007–2010	Internazionale	59	(20)
2010–	Manchester City	40	(19)
National team‡
2008–2010	Italy U21	16	(6)
2010–	Italy	8	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 May 2012. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 June 2012

Mario Barwuah Balotelli (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmaːrjo baloˈtɛlli]; born 12 August 1990) is an Italian footballer of Ghanaian descent who plays as a striker for Manchester City and the Italian national team.^[4][5] He started his professional football career at Lumezzane and played for the first team twice before having an unsuccessful trial at FC Barcelona,^[6] and subsequently joining Internazionale in 2007. Inter manager Roberto Mancini brought Balotelli into the first team, but when Mancini left, Balotelli's disciplinary record fell away. He had a strained relationship with new head coach José Mourinho and was suspended from Inter's first team in January 2009 after a number of disciplinary problems.

His problems deepened in March 2010 when he came under heavy criticism by Inter fans after he appeared on the Italian TV show Striscia la notizia, wearing an A.C. Milan jersey. This damaged the prospect of him having a long career at Inter, but he did make several appearances after that. With doubts over his career at Inter, former coach Roberto Mancini at Manchester City gave Balotelli a fresh chance at a new club. He joined Manchester City in August 2010, where his performances and off-field activities have continued to be controversial and enigmatic. Balotelli earned his first cap for the Italian national team on 10 August 2010, in a friendly match against the Côte d'Ivoire thus making him the first black player to play for the Italian national football team.

Early life[link]

Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo, Sicily, to Ghanaian immigrants Thomas and Rose Barwuah. The family moved to Bagnolo Mella in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, shortly after he was born.^[7] As an infant, he had life-threatening complications with his intestines which led to a series of operations, although his condition had improved by 1992. Mario's health problems and the family's cramped living conditions meant the Barwuahs decided to ask for the help of social services who recommended that he be fostered.^[7] In 1993, the Barwuah family agreed to entrust the three-year-old boy to Francesco and Silvia Balotelli,^[7] with the legal move formalized by the Court of Brescia.^[8] When Mario Balotelli became famous, his biological parents asked for his return. He later accused them of "glory hunting", stating that they only wanted him back because of the prominence he had gained.^[9] According to Law 91 of 5 February 1992,^[10] Balotelli had to wait until his 18th birthday to request Italian citizenship, as the Balotellis had not adopted him, and he officially gained citizenship on 13 August 2008.^[11]

He has three biological siblings, Abigail, Enoch and Angel. ^[12] Enoch Barwuah, two years his junior, had a trial at English Premier League side Stoke City in December 2011.^[13]

Club career[link]

Lumezzane[link]

Balotelli began his career with Lumezzane. At the age of 15 he was promoted to the first team, making his first team debut in a Serie C1 league match against Padova.^[14]

Internazionale[link]

Having had an unsuccessful trial with FC Barcelona at the age of 15,^[15] Balotelli was signed by F.C. Internazionale Milano in 2006 on loan with a pre-set price of €150,000 to co-own the player.^[16] In June 2007 Inter excised the option and purchased another half for additional €190,000.^[16] He made his first team and Serie A debut on 16 December 2007 replacing David Suazo in a 2–0 win against Cagliari.^[17] Three days later he featured in the starting lineup in a Coppa Italia match against Reggina, scoring two goals in a 4–1 win.^[18] Balotelli gained national attention after he scored two goals against Juventus in the return leg of the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, being instrumental in a 3–2 away win for Inter.^[19] His first Serie A goal then came in April 2008 in a 2–0 away win against Atalanta.^[20] Inter went on to win the 2007–08 Serie A.^[21] Balotelli was a substitute in the 2008 Supercoppa Italiana final against A.S. Roma. He came on as a replacement for Luís Figo, scoring in the 83rd minute. Inter went on to win the final 6–5 on penalties after the match ended 2–2.

In November 2008 he scored his first Champions League goal in a 3–3 draw against Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta, becoming the youngest Inter player (at 18 years and 85 days) to score in the Champions League. This beat the previous record set by Obafemi Martins at 18 years and 145 days.^[22] In April 2009 Balotelli scored Inter's goal in a 1–1 draw with Juventus and was racially abused by Juventus fans throughout the game, including chants such as "Black Italians do not exist". This led to Massimo Moratti saying that he would have pulled the team off the pitch if he had been present.^[23] The racist chants were also condemned by Juventus chairman Giovanni Cobolli Gigli and Juventus were given a one game home-fan ban because of the incident.^[24] Inter won Serie A for the fourth time in a row.^[25]

In his second season with Inter, Balotelli had a number of disciplinary problems, most notably involving head coach José Mourinho who excluded him from the first team in the second half of January 2009. Earlier that season Mourinho had accused Balotelli of showing a lack of effort in training^[26] stating "as far as I'm concerned, a young boy like him cannot allow himself to train less than people like Figo, Córdoba, and Zanetti."^[27] Balotelli continued to be the subject of racist chants throughout the season, becoming the focus of Juventus fans even during games not involving Inter, leading to Juventus being fined twice and the club ultimately punished with a partial stadium closure.^[28]

Balotelli's disciplinary problems, and his difficult relationship with Mourinho, continued in the 2009–10 season. In November Inter drew 1–1 against Roma and Mourinho criticized his players, even going as far as saying that Balotelli "came close to a zero rating".^[29] The young striker again incurred the wrath of Juve (Juventus) fans in the heated Derby d'Italia away encounter with Juventus on 5 December 2009 which Inter lost 2–1. When he was elbowed by Juve midfielder Felipe Melo in the shoulder he fell on the pitch clutching his face and was promptly booked, while Melo was sent off for a second yellow card. The incident sparked a fiery altercation between teammate Thiago Motta and Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.^[30][31] The tension between player and manager reached its peak on the eve of the UEFA Champions League second leg against Chelsea after the young striker was not called-up, following an altercation with Mourinho.^[32] Despite Inter's 1–0 win at Stamford Bridge, London, Balotelli was criticized by several senior players including captain Javier Zanetti^[33] and veteran defender Marco Materazzi as well as his own agent.^[34] In March he came under heavy criticism from fans after he publicly sported an A.C. Milan (Inter's cross-town rivals) jersey on the Italian show Striscia la Notizia.^[35]

Zlatan Ibrahimović with Balotelli

Balotelli released a statement of apology in Inter Milan's official website that read:

After a spell out of the team, Balotelli was recalled for the match against Bologna and he marked his return with a goal in their 3–0 win.^[37] He soon caused controversy again in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on 20 April as he threw his jersey on the ground after the final whistle, in response to Inter fans who had booed him for his poor performance.^[38] This led to an attempt by a small group of supporters to physically attack Balotelli after the end of the game. His behaviour brought disapproval from fans, team-mates and football pundits.^[39]

Manchester City[link]

2010–11[link]

After weeks of speculation Inter reached an agreement for Balotelli's transfer to Manchester City on 12 August 2010, for €22 million. for which Inter made a profit of €21.856 million.^[40][41] At Manchester City Balotelli reunited with his former boss, Roberto Mancini.^[42] who said, "his style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him".^[43]

Balotelli (right) with Alex Song in April 2012.

On 19 August 2010 Balotelli came on as a substitute to score in his debut against Politehnica Timişoara in a 1–0 away win in the Europa League.^[44] Unfortunately he injured the lateral meniscus in his right knee in the match and on 8 September he underwent surgery that saw him sidelined until October.^[45] Balotelli eventually made his Premier League debut on 24 October as a substitute in a 3–0 home defeat to Arsenal^[46] and made his full debut on 30 October in a 2–1 away defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.^[47] Balotelli scored his first and second Premier League goals on 7 November in a 2–0 away win to West Brom.^[48] In the same game Balotelli received a red card for violent conduct as the result of a clash with Youssuf Mulumbu, which his manager Roberto Mancini described as unfair.^[49] Balotelli scored the first two of City's three goals in the 3–0 win over FC Red Bull Salzburg in Manchester City's Europa League group stage match.^[50]

On 21 December 2010 Balotelli won the Golden Boy Award, saying that only one of the past winners was slightly better than he was – Lionel Messi. He also claimed not to know of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, the player he narrowly beat to the award.^[51] On 28 December 2010 Balotelli scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Aston Villa.^[52] Despite this Balotelli still had problems and in March 2011 he was sent off in the second-leg of Manchester City's Europa League tie with Dynamo Kiev.^[53] On 14 May 2011 Balotelli was man of the match in the 2011 FA Cup Final as Manchester City defeated Stoke City 1–0 to win their first trophy in thirty-five years.^[54]

2011–12[link]

Balotelli scored his first goal of the 2011–12 campaign in a 2–0 Carling Cup win against Birmingham City. He followed this up with the opening goal against Everton three days later. On 1 October 2011 he scored his third goal in as many games in a 4–0 win away to Blackburn Rovers. Balotelli scored the opening two goals and forced the dismissal of Jonny Evans as City beat Manchester United 6–1 at Old Trafford on 23 October 2011.^[55] Balotelli made his Champions League debut for Man City on 2 November 2011, in the return match against Villarreal. He scored from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time during the match, scoring his first CL goal for them in the process and his seventh goal overall in the season.^[56] On November 27, Balotelli came on as a 65th minute substitute against Liverpool, and was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.^[57] Balotelli scored using his right shoulder in City's 5–1 win over Norwich on 3 December.^[58] He put City 1–0 up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after just two minutes on 12 December, although Chelsea rallied to win 2–1.^[59]

On 22 January 2012, Balotelli came on as a substitute during a match against Tottenham Hotspur. He appeared to stamp on Scott Parker during the match against Tottenham. He was already booked but did not get a second yellow from referee Howard Webb who did not see the incident.^[60] Balotelli subsequently scored his first goal of 2012 , a injury-time penalty which secured a 3–2 win for City.^[61] He was charged for violent conduct for the kick against Scott Parker and was suspended for four matches, three for violent conduct and one for his second sending off.^[60] On 25 February, he scored his 10th league goal of the season in a 3–0 home win against Blackburn Rovers.^[62] He scored again the following game this time in a 2–0 win against Bolton.^[63] On 31 March, Balotelli scored twice as City drew 3–3 at home to Sunderland. However, Balotelli was criticised for his actions in the match, after squabbling with Aleksandar Kolarov over a free kick. Roberto Mancini claimed after the game he had considered substituting Balotelli just five minutes into the match.^[64] On 8 April 2012, Balotelli received his fourth red card, after earning his second yellow card during the match both against Bacary Sagna, during City's 1–0 loss to Arsenal in April 2012, after "a dangerous, chaotic, birdbrain performance".^[65] After the Arsenal match, Mancini appeared to have finally lost his patience with Balotelli, suggesting that Balotelli would not play any part in the remainder of City's season and be sold by the club.^[66] Despite this, Balotelli did make an appearance as a late substitute in the last game of the season, a title-deciding match against Queens Park Rangers. Balotelli provided the assist that allowed Sergio Aguero to score the 94th-minute winner that won City their first league title since 1968.

International career[link]