Veteran striker Balotelli finds peace in Saudi league and reflects on Italian football's decline
Mario Balotelli, now 36, plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, where he joined to play alongside his brother Enock. He says the decision was not primarily about money but about a competitive project. In an interview, he discusses Italian football's current difficulties and the loss of street football culture, and reflects on his own career with a sense of peace.
Balotelli signed with Al-Ettifaq in January 2026 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, a move he describes as a last-minute opportunity that emerged after direct talks with the club's president. He emphasizes that financial gain was not his primary motivation, noting his existing wealth, and instead highlights the appeal of a competitive sporting project. The arrangement also fulfills a childhood ambition to share a pitch with his brother Enock, a dream they had discussed since their youth.
The striker points to Italy's failure to qualify for three consecutive World Cups as evidence of systemic decline, attributing the problem to cultural shifts rather than technical shortcomings. He observes empty parks in cities like Brescia, contrasting them with his own childhood of playing outdoors until dark. He specifically criticizes the influence of computers, phones, and PlayStation consoles, alongside changing parental attitudes toward children's unstructured play.
This story may resonate beyond sports audiences, as Balotelli's observations about declining street football culture could reflect broader societal concerns about childhood inactivity and digital displacement. His move to Saudi Arabia may also signal shifting dynamics in global football, where aging stars find new opportunities outside traditional European leagues. For Italian fans, his reflections could reignite debates about national team failures and youth development, though his personal peace suggests a narrative of acceptance rather than regret.