Mario Balotelli has revitalised his career playing for Nice in the Ligue 1. During the past two years, the Italian striker has once again emerged as a viable attacking threat that can compete at the highest level, and it seems the former Italian international is ready to take another crack at a top league.
According to Nice’s head coach Lucien Favre, there is growing expectation on the Ligue 1 side that Balotelli will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. In fact, the club’s president basically confirmed the same thing in a later interview, as the team does not hold high hopes on retaining the former Milan star past this season.
Before Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Rivere said: “It is likely that Mario may be leaving to see other horizons.” Meanwhile, Balotelli said he believes this “has been one of my best seasons, but I can do much more because I’ve changed a lot. When you grow up, you become more mature, more stable, so it’s easier to focus on football. I hope the best is yet to come,” the 27-year-old told Telefoot.
“I’m enjoying it. It’s a different experience to what I have had in the past. For the moment, I’m happy, calm. Being calm is the most important thing I have learned being here.”
The numbers back the Italian up, as he is leading Nice’s attack once again. He has scored a career-best 22 goals in the current term, including 14 goals in the Ligue 1 to keep his side alive in contention for a Europa League berth.
