Mario Balotelli is preparing himself to complete the 14th transfer of his career and carry on playing football at the age of 35.
Italian striker Balotelli has had a nomadic career taking him through spells at some of Europe’s biggest clubs including both Milan clubs, Manchester City, Liverpool and Marseille.
And now, after a brief hiatus since leaving Serie A side Genoa, the wildcard forward is headed to Emirati club Al-Ittifaq.
Al-Ittifaq are in the United Arab Emirates’ top division and have a number of Italian players in their squad, with the club owned by Australian businessman Ross Pelligra, who also owns Catania in Serie C.
Balotelli celebrated his upcoming transfer this week with a trip to the Maldives, where he led football sessions, taking young guests through tips and drills and attending the New Year’s Eve party at Kandima Maldives, a five-star 3km island lifestyle resort, as pictured in an exclusive set of photos.
Mario Balotelli celebrated his upcoming transfer this week with a trip to the Maldives
He revived his infamous ‘Why Always Me’ celebration in a staff vs guests match
The striker was at Kandima Maldives before he completes his latest transfer
He also played in a guests vs staff match – reviving his infamous ‘Why Always Me’ t-shirt celebration from the 6-1 Manchester derby in 2011. Balotelli said: ‘It was all perfect for an athlete to stay in top condition during the off-season.’
Balotelli will have a job on his hands when he starts at Al-Ittifaq. The club are bottom of the UAE Division One with just six points from 11 games so far this season.
