Balotelli - Hero or Villain?

All hail Mario – is what everybody sings now but is he a hero worth of praise?

A few months ago many condemned him as unplayable and even Italy had second thoughts on him and his Euro chances. His club manager Roberto Mancini categorically declared that City and Balotelli were done and there would be no second thoughts on the issue. The Cult leader apologized and was condemned the world over for being a disgrace to football and his team. His on and off-field antics did him no good and though it earned him a huge fun base, he became unsaleable with no one willing to touch him even for free. Rumors were even ripe that his old team did not want him back and Milan wanted Tevez.

However, this man is unshakeable.

Monkey chants at his first Euro game did not scare him and it seems as if Mario or Super Mario, as they now refer to him, was dead-set on using the big stage to silence his critics. Those who asked “Mario who?” now chant his name. He is at the top of his game and this man seems set to win it all and if he does it would be presumed that the new young player of the year is Mario Balotelli and others might even argue that he deserves the big one. Sunday will be his night and he will be out to prove a point.

Now that everyone has forgiven the villain and embraced the Hero, the glory will be his to take. No player in the finals will carry more glory than Balotelli and if he scores whether Italy wins or loses that will be his night. Come Sunday, history will be made and either way Balotelli is one of the biggest debuts in Euro history.

Football can be fun but its players like Balotelli and Cristiano Ronaldo that make it exceptional. While Messi can score goals, its more interesting to watch Balotelli play wondering what he will do next.