Former Italy International Mario Balotelli has explained why he is supporting Black Stars of Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana progressed into the round of 32 after finishing as one of the third best placed teams in a group that had England, Croatia and Panama.
After edging out Panama 1-0 in their opening fixture, the Black Stars held England to a goalless draw, before losing 2-1 to Croatia on Saturday.
Up next for Ghana is a round of 32 clash with Colombia, who topped Group K ahead of Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
Balotelli, 35, said he decided to support the Black Stars because the Italy did not qualify for the World Cup.
“There is no Italy, so I support Ghana,” the 35-year-old said on Men in Blazers. “Obviously I’m from Ghana and I’m proud of Ghana.”
Balotelli was born Mario Barwuah in Palermo, Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants. The family moved to Bagnolo Mella in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, when he was two.
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In 1993, when he was three, he was placed in foster care to the Balotelli family when his own family was unable to pay for his health care needs. His foster parents are Silvia, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivor and Francesco Balotelli. They lived in the town of Concesio, Brescia, in northern Italy.
At first, he stayed with the Balotelli family during the weekdays and returned to his biological parents on weekends. He later was permanently fostered by the Balotellis full-time and adopted their surname.
In June 2012, he dedicated his goals that put Italy in the final of the Euro 2012 football championships to his foster mother Silvia.
Balotelli had to wait until his 18th birthday to request Italian citizenship, as his foster family had not adopted him. He officially gained citizenship in Concesio on 13 August 2008.
He made his debut for the Italian senior National in 2010 and featured at Euro 2012, 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Balotelli who currently plays for UAE club Al-Ittifaq FC, has turned out for some of Europe’s top sides like Inter Milan, AC Milan, Manchester City and Liverpool.
