Balotelli escapes unemployment.

Mario Balotelli arrived in Dubai (UAE) to finalize his transfer to Al Ittifaq, a team currently playing in the UAE First Division (the second tier of the UAE Pro-League).

Mario Balotelli poses for a photo wearing an Al Ittifaq jersey.

"Super Mario" received a warm welcome from Al Ittifaq fans and management at the airport. This will be the 14th club in the professional career of the striker who previously played for Manchester City and Liverpool.

Al-Ittifaq FC has reached an agreement to sign Balotelli on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Balotelli is expected to be registered to play this week. His new team is having a difficult season, sitting at the bottom of the table with only 6 points after 11 rounds, having scored just 6 goals.

Balotelli's arrival was expected to improve the club's weak attack and offer a chance to avoid relegation, a prospect owned by Italian businessman Pietro Laterza. After leaving Genoa in the summer of 2025, Balotelli was unemployed and had yet to find a new club.

However, a connection with fellow countryman Laterza, owner of Al Ittifaq, helped him escape unemployment. At 35, the UAE second division seems likely to be the final destination in "Super Mario's" tumultuous career.

Indonesian player abandons football for foul play. On January 5th, Muhammad Hilmi Gimnastiar committed a brutal tackle during Putra Jaya's 2-7 defeat to Perseta 1970 Tulungagung in the Round of 32 of Liga 4 - East Java Governor's Cup.

Source: https://znews.vn/balotelli-thoat-canh-that-nghiep-post1618820.html