Mario Balotelli has returned
to Italy to sign a three-year contract with promoted Serie A
side Brescia, his hometown club, the Rondinelle said at the
weekend.
The Lombard club, who returned to the top flight after
winning the Serie B championship last season, beat off
competition from Fiorentina, Verona and Brazilian side Flamengo
to secure the striker's services.
Balotelli, who thanked Flamengo for its interest in him, was
presented later Monday and said: "I have zero fear of failing,
it seems that you asking the questions are more scared than me".
The 29-year-old Italo-Ghanaian was a free agent after his
contract with French side Marseille expired.
Before that he had a mostly successful two-and-a-half year
stint with Nice.
The former Inter, Manchester City, Liverpool and AC Milan
striker is highly talented but he is also widely considered not
to have made the most of his natural gifts due to his
temperamental character.
He has frequently had strained relationships with coaches
during his career and been involved in a series of bizarre
off-field incidents.
He ended a four-year hiatus from the national team when he
was called up by Italy coach Roberto Mancini for some friendly
matches and a UEFA Nations League match against Poland last
year, but he has not featured for the Azzurri since.
Addressing the press conference, Balotelli said "I had
already met (Brescia owner and chairman Massimo) Cellino when I
was in England.
Speaking with Cellino at his side, Balotelli said "it was not
so hard to decide to come to Brescia: this is my city, I can
give a lot here".
As for his relations with Mancini, Balotelli said the Azzurri
coach called him on his birthday.
And as for racism in Italy, which he experienced many times
in the past, Balotelli said "I hope it isn't like years ago any
more".
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