Balotelli and Wenger: The Odd Couple

Mario Balotelli could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League with Arsene Wenger set to meet his agent on Saturday.

As revealed by Goal, the Arsenal boss is set to discuss a £25 million move for the Italy internationalas he attempts to seal the Gunners’ first major transfer of the summer.

Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola has previously admitted that “anything is possible” when asked about a potential transfer to Arsenal, as Wenger prepares to gamble on the controversial striker.

Wednesday, 18 June 2014 13:06

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World Cup party about to get started

With the dust having settled on most nation's World Cup warm-up friendlies, attentions can now be turned to the main event with the World Cup just four days away.

England concluded their preparations in a feisty encounter against Honduras and can next be seen taking on Italy in Manaus on Saturday, while hosts Brazil kick off the tournament on Thusday.

The Three Lions flew from Miami to Rio de Janeiro straight after their 0-0 draw, while plenty of other sides, including the likes of Germany, have finally touched down in Brazil.

Sunday, 8 June 2014 12:45

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Magic Honda extends AC Milan's run

After a shaky start, Clarence Seedorf looks like he's getting AC Milan on the right track.

Monday night's 2-1 win over Genoa was the club's third straight victory in Serie A, while two of their January arrivals found the target.

Adel Taarabt's superb drive from 25 yards opened the scoring after 20 minutes, while Keisuke Honda netted his first goal for the club with a delicate chip over Mattia Perin.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 12:00

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Champions League circus comes to town

So the first two teams are in the hat for the Champions League quarters following Tuesday night's action, with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid going through at the expense of Arsenal and AC Milan.

On an eventful night in Germany, Arjen Robben caused controversy for the manner in which he earned a penalty against the Gunners, which Thomas Muller would miss during the 1-1 draw, with Arsene Wenger insisting after the match that the Dutchman was a master at diving.

In the other game of the evening, Clarence Seedorf's Milan side were forced to jump through hoops as Diego Costa and Co. proved too strong for the Italians in what turned out to be a thumping 4-1 win.

Wednesday, 12 March 2014 12:00

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Hooray! The Champions League is back again

It has been a long two months since the Champions League group stages came to a close and the last-16 ties were drawn out of the hat in Nyon. But fear no more!

Tonight signals the return of the top club competition in Europe - if not the world. It's Manchester City v Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen v Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

With Arsenal taking on Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Chelsea and a whole host of other top teams in action over the coming weeks, you won't be short of star names and big performances. Rejoice!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 12:00

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Milan stars face Seedorf's new regime

Clarence Seedorf has been tasked with whipping AC Milan's inconsistent players into shape after being announced as the club's new head coach on Tuesday.

The Dutchman made over 400 appearances for Milan during his playing career and replaces Massimiliano Allegri whose reign at San Siro was called to an end on Sunday following the club's seventh defeat in Serie A this season.

AC Milan currently sit 11th in the Italian top flight and a whopping 30 points behind leaders Juventus.

Wednesday, 15 January 2014 12:00

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Storylines aplenty after Champions League draw

The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League was completed on Monday, with some intriguing fixtures emerging to create a number of story-lines.

Didier Drogba will get his return to Chelsea and what is sure to be an emotional reunion with Jose Mourinho, after the Blues were drawn with Turkish side Galatasaray.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping to draw upon all his knowledge of La Liga for the clashes with Barcelona, while Arsene Wenger's Arsenal were arguably handed the toughest tie of them all after they were paired with holders Bayern Munich.

Tuesday, 17 December 2013 09:45

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Cassano sees himself in Balotelli

Mario Balotelli may be the current enigmatic poster boy of Italian football, but before the pig-owning, camouflage car-driving AC Milan striker, there was Antonio Cassano.

The 31-year-old's numerous spats with management and senior figures at clubs including Roma, Real Madrid, Sampdoria and AC Milan are well known.

Now at Parma following a single season with Inter, Cassano understands why comparisons might be drawn between him and Balotelli.

"Mario is a great guy," he was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.

"He reminds me a bit of myself when I was 20 years old."

Thursday, October 17, 2013 11:15

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Europe's top clubs turn attentions to Champions League

With domestic football well and truly back underway across Europe, the continent's biggest clubs switch their focus to the Champions League as the illustrious competition returns on Tuesday.

Two of the Premier League's biggest hitters are on show as Manchester United host Bayer Leverkusen, while Manchester City face a tough trip to Plzen.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid are in Turkey to face a Galatasaray side led by Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez is expected to line up for Juventus against FC Copenhagen, and Pep Guardiola's star-studded Bayern Munich take on CSKA Moscow.

With the final set to take place at Benfica's Estadio da Luz in May, Europe's biggest names are drawn to the competition like moths to a flame.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 09:00

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Superpig! Balotelli's new pet

 

Mario Balotelli has introduced the world to his new pet pig.

After being unable to determine whether the animal is either male or female, the AC Milan striker has opted to play it safe and name his pet 'Super'. 

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Goal 50: Class of 2012-13

 

The countdown to the Goal 50 has begun and the debate is raging over which star performers from the season should be included in this year's list of football's most talented

School is out for much of the football world but the class of 2012-13 can still look forward to the annual prize-giving ceremony that is the Goal 50.

Our brilliant artist Omar Momani has drawn up his vision of the high achievers in contention for the list - which will be announced on July 29.

Bayern Munich trio Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller are sitting in the front row accompanied by Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Behind are La Liga legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo next to Robert Lewandowski, scorer of four goals for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in last season's Champions League semi-final.

The Premier League may be flagging behind Germany and Spain, but Gareth Bale has stood out. The Tottenham totem sits with enigmatic Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli, who has lit up Serie A since joining AC Milan in January.

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Kicking & screening: Balo bares all after Confederations Cup winner

 

Despite scoring the winner against Mexico in Italy’s Confederations Cup opener, Mario Balotelli still managed to end up in coach Cesare Prandelli’s bad books.

The former Manchester City man sealed a 2-1 victory for the Azzurri at the Maracana and promptly took off his shirt to celebrate.

Balotelli was promptly booked for his actions leaving a frustrated Prandelli to warn the striker against picking up cheap yellow cards. 

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Football's biggest names land in Brazil ahead of Confederations Cup

 

With the World Cup under a year away, host nation Brazil stage the 2013 Confederations Cup with the rest of the world set to get a glimpse of what the country has to offer.

The hosts kick off proceedings on Saturday evening against Japan, with the likes of Oscar, David Luiz, Hulk and Neymar all expected to be in action.

And if that game alone does not boast enough big names, Spain have a star cast including Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta, Italy have Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo, and Uruguay boast Edinson Cavani and, of course, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. 
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Fanny Neguesha and my caricature

For who doesnt know who is Fanny Neguesha. Fanny is a professional model, dancer and actress and mostly known as Mario Balotelli's girlfriend.

 

Last couple of weeks I drew a caricature on here as she caught my eyes in the Milan-Barcelona match in the Champions League, where she and Mario were celebrating their victory against the Catalan.

I discovered later that she is using the caricature as an avatar for her twitter profile (@neguesha), which is something amazing.

All love and support to all the models in the world <3 br="">

 

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Vidic: The next of the AC Milan Mohicans?

 

Nemanja Vidic could be the latest Premier League star to switch to Serie A, with Goal.com exclusively revealing that AC Milan are preparing a bid for the Manchester United centre-back in the summer.

The Serbian has endured an injury-ravaged past two seasons at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils are prepared to entertain bids in the region of £10m for the 31-year-old.

A switch to San Siro would see Vidic link up with former Manchester City foe Mario Balotelli, although the defender may not be as keen to mimmick the mohican style hair of the Italian and his strike partner Stephane El Shaarawy... 
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Neymar left in Balotelli’s shadow

 

It may have only been a friendly but Italy’s clash with Brazil saw a number of heavyweights go head-to-head as the two countries played out a 2-2 draw in Geneva.

The Brazilians roared into a two-goal lead with Fred opening the scoring before Neymar set up Oscar to double their lead with a neat finish past Gianluigi Buffon.

However, Italy came roaring back after the break with Daniel De Rossi halving the deficit before Mario Balotelli stole the show with a curling long-range strike to ensure honours ended even.

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Firecracker Mario Balotelli rockets off to Milan

 

Mario Balotelli may have only graced British shores for two-and-a-half seasons, yet his imminent Manchester City exit to join AC Milan represents the end of an era in the Premier League.

From fireworks to training ground bust-ups, struggling to wear training bibs to effortlessly revealing that notorious 'Why Always Me?' t-shirt against Manchester United, the Italian's spell in England has provided us with a whirlwind of memories.

Love him or hate him, you will never forget Balotelli - but for now it is time to say goodbye to Super Mario as he shoots off back to Milan.
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Balotelli to AC Milan

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Italy's big guns look to cherry-pick Balotelli

 

The January transfer window is open, and it appears the clamour for Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has started in Italy.

Napoli are the latest club to express an interest in the Italy international, with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis dreaming of partnering the forward with Edinson Cavani, who has also welcomed a move for the 22-year-old.

Inter, meanwhile, claim to have first refusal for their former striker, and will exercise the right to bid if Manchester City choose to sell.

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi may have described Balotelli as a "rotten apple," recently, but there is no shortage of suitors aiming to cherry-pick the Italy international.
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Berlusconi: Balotelli is a rotten apple

 

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has rubbished rumours that the club could sign Mario Balotelli, describing the Manchester City forward as a "rotten apple".

It was thought Balotelli could have been brought in to replace the already-departured Pato and Robinho, who was expected to leave the club in the current window, but the 76-year-old has officially ruled it out.

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