MARIO BALOTELLI’S BROTHER REVEALS WHY HE CHOSE ITALY OVER GHANA’S BLACK STARS
Italian-born Ghana forward Mario Balotelli declined the chance to switch his allegiance to represent the Black Stars because felt more Italian.
Corrado Balotelli has revealed why his brother, Mario, decided to commit his international future to Italy instead of the four-time African champions Ghana.
Born to Ghanaian immigrants in Palermo, the frontman had courted interest from both countries, but opted to stay with Italy, having represented them at various youth levels.
The then officials of the Ghana Football Association attempted to invite Balotelli to represent the West African country, however, the former Manchester City forward decided to represent the Azzurris.
“Ghana wanted me to play for them, but that was never going to happen,” Balotelli confirmed Ghana’s interest to Corriere della Sera, as quoted by Goal.
But his elder brother and former agent has disclosed the ex-AC Milan star turned down Ghana in order to pursue an international career with Italy.
Corrado Balotelli told Guerin Sportivo, quoted by GhanaWeb
“The Black Stars asked Mario to accept a call-up to the national side, where he would have been a first-choice, but he declined.
“He just didn’t want to lose the chance to play for Italy in the future.
Balotelli received his first Ghana call-up from former Black Stars coach Claude Le Roy for a friendly against Senegal in 2007.
But but he refused to honour the invitation, citing he was waiting for Italy to give him the nod.
He was born to Ghanaian immigrants in Sicily, Italy, in 1990 with the surname Barwuah. When he was 3, his parents – Thomas and Rose Barwuah – reportedly gave him up for adoption due to the dire state of his intestines, which needed repeated surgery.
According to his parents, they placed their son in foster care so that he could receive the health care that his life-threatening condition required.
Soon after, Mario joined Francesco and Silvia Balotelli part of the week, with visits to his biological family taking place over the weekend.
Eventually, though, Mario moved in with the Balotelli’s permanently and adopted their surname. Arguably one of the most controversial characters in world football, Mario Balotelli has scored 13 times for Italy in 33 appearances.
