Mario Balotelli responds to World Cup criticism

While much of the focus from yesterday’s Uruguay vs Italy match up has been on Luis Suarez’s bite on Giorgio Chiellini, there was quite a lot to take away from the game other than that grotesque incident.

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With the 1-0 loss, Italy was ousted from the World Cup in the group stage for the second consecutive time. The loss also likely marked the end of Italy’s historic goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy’s poor performance in the World Cup can be attributed to a number of factors, but it seems that much of the blame has fallen upon striker Mario Balotelli.

Although Balotelli scored the game winning goal in the opening match of the World Cup against England, he was unable to continue scoring for his country as he only attempted one shot on target in Italy’s next two games against Costa Rica and Uruguay.

To make matters worse for Balotelli, he was also given a yellow card in the last two games, which means that he would have been suspended the next game had Italy gone on to the knockout stage of the tournament.

After being subbed out of the Uruguay game at the start of the second half, it was essentially determined that much of the blame would fall on Balotelli’s shoulders had his team not pulled off the victory.

Yesterday, a video was posted on Balotelli’s Instagram with a critic stating, “Mario, you’re really not Italian. Go away.”

Mario responded to his critics with this lengthy narrative on Instagram:

"I’m Mario Balotelli 23 years old and I did not choose to be Italian. I really wanted because I was born in ITALY and I have always lived in ITALY. I was hoping for a lot from this World Cup and I am sad, angry and disappointed with myself. Yes, maybe I could have scored a goal against Costa Rica, you’re right, but then what? What is the problem after that? Maybe that’s what you all wanted to say? Don’t blame it all on me this time because Mario Balotelli has given everything for the national team and has done nothing wrong on a personal level. So try another excuse because Mario Balotelli has a clear conscience and is ready to go forward stronger than before and with his head held high. He is proud to have given everything for his country. Or maybe, as you say, I am not Italian. The Africans wouldn’t have blamed one of their brothers. Never. In this, we black, as you call us, we are light years ahead of you. Disgrace is not one that misses a goal or runs less or more. Disgraceful are these things. Italian real! True!"

Balotelli has every right to be upset at someone questioning his heritage. He played his heart out for his country, and he ultimately did the best he could. He is not deserving of all this unwarranted criticism.

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