Born in Palermo in 1990, Mario Balotelli has become one of football’s most unforgettable personalities. Known for his remarkable talent – booming shots, technical skills, and raw athleticism – he stood out at clubs like Inter Milan, Manchester City, and AC Milan. But for most fans, it’s Balotelli’s unpredictable nature, on and off the pitch, that truly makes him memorable.
His footballing moments are legendary, often for their unpredictability. Who could forget his iconic celebration at Euro 2012 after scoring against Germany – ripping off his shirt and flexing in silence, radiating confidence and defiance? His off-field antics are almost as famous: from struggling with his training bib during warm-ups to the notorious incident of setting off fireworks in his bathroom. These stories have contributed as much to his mythos as his goals.
Throughout his career, Balotelli has faced plenty of ups and downs. He’s produced moments of jaw-dropping brilliance and, at other times, frustrated coaches and fans with his inconsistency. He’s dealt with harsh press attention and even racism from rival supporters, yet he’s always maintained an undeniable passion for the game.
Super Mario’s personal life has often been as chaotic as his performances. In his early years, his love life played out in the glare of paparazzi flashbulbs. Today, he keeps things quieter, but that wasn’t always the case.
Probably his most high-profile relationship was with Belgian model Fanny Neguesha. The two dated between 2012 and 2014 and even got engaged – Balotelli sometimes celebrated his goals by making a heart symbol with his hands in dedication to her. When they broke up, it was a tabloid sensation in Italy, with gossip columns buzzing for weeks.
Balotelli also had a relationship with model Raffaella Fico, which, at one time, turned into tabloid drama when he demanded a paternity test before acknowledging their daughter, Pia. Since then, he’s become more involved as a father, occasionally sharing glimpses of their relationship on social media.
Over the years, rumors have linked him with several other high-profile women – like Veronica Graf and British personalities Carla Howe and Emma Dalton. Brazilian model Dayane Mello was also reportedly involved with him, but details have always been hazy and much of what’s reported seems to be based on speculation rather than hard facts.
When asked about love back in 2013, Balotelli described it as being as unpredictable as football – a candid admission from someone who seems to approach both life and sport with the same spontaneity. If anything, fatherhood and age have mellowed his public persona. The wild nights out and headline-grabbing escapades have given way to more private moments, with family now playing a bigger role in his life.
Past Relationships
Veronica Graf
Carla Howe
Emma Dalton
Fanny Neguesha
Emy Jammoukh
Tabby Brown
Eliana Cartella
Vanessa Lawrens
Veronica Angeloni
Dahiana Rojas
Lauren Thorne
Desirée Busetto
Raffaella Fico
Sara Galimberti
Chloe Evans
Sara Tommasi
Faye Evette
Sophie Reade
Dayane Mello
Betty Kourakou
One thing hasn’t changed, though: both as a footballer and as a person, Balotelli remains true to himself. Wild, flawed, sometimes frustrating, but always fascinating – he’s an original, whether making headlines for his goals or for the stories that swirl around him.