Former Man City forward Mario Balotelli has suggested he could release the ‘rebellious 16-year-old’ version of himself after being frozen out by Italian side Genoa.
Balotelli joined Genoa in October, the 12th club of the Italian’s headline-making career.
He has made six appearances for the Serie A side, although his overall number of minutes played amounts to just 56.
Balotelli, who has yet to score for Genoa, has not featured the club since December 21.
Genoa are managed by former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, a former team-mate of Balotelli’s at Man City.
Vieira and Balotelli have had a tense relationship in the past following their time together at Nice, where the former served as manager from 2018 to 2020.
Mario Balotelli threatened to bring back a 16-year-old rebel as he remains frozen out at Genoa
The veteran forward, now 34, has not featured for Patrick Vieira’s side since December 21
Balotelli has taken aim at Genoa for his continued absence in a post on Instagram, where the forward suggested he had been treated with a lack of respect.
‘Around here they deserve the rebellious 16-year-old Mario,’ Balotelli wrote.
‘Maybe that way they would understand what it means to truly lack respect.’
Throughout his career Balotelli has been involved in numerous controversial incidents.
In 2011 when he was a City player, Balotelli’s £3million rented Cheshire mansion caught on fire after a friend of his was said to have set fireworks off in the striker’s bathroom.
Balotelli escaped unhurt after fleeing the fire at 1am. Just 36 hours later, Balotelli scored against rivals Manchester United before unveiling his infamous ‘Why always me?’ t-shirt.
Shortly after arriving at City in 2010, Balotelli crashed his car on the way to training. He had £5,000 in cash in his back pocket and when asked why he was carrying so much money he responded by saying: ‘Because I am rich’.
Vieira has previously claimed the former Italy international was difficult to work with due to his way of life and individuality.
Balotelli has made just six appearances for the Serie A side since joining back in October
Speaking about Balotelli to Mail Sport in 2020, he said: ‘Mario’s mindset was difficult for a collective sport. The philosophy I wanted to put in place, the togetherness and work ethic I wanted to build, it was difficult for me to work with a player like Mario.
‘It was really difficult for both of us to work together, so we decided to go different ways.’
Meanwhile, Balotelli has previously said of Vieira in an interview: ‘I lived in Villefranche, and it was crazy. I was smiling every day, I went to the sea every day. It was a dream life.
‘The problem was that the way Vieira played didn’t really suit me. I got along well with him, but on sporting matters, I didn’t agree. If I hadn’t had these problems with him, I would never have left Nice.’
