2 months ago
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Former Liverpool and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has confessed he finds himself at "a dead end" regarding his career but remains determined not to contemplate retirement.
Balotelli has remained without a club since the summer following a stint at Genoa, marking his 12th different team in what has been a nomadic career. The former Italy international forward, 35, spent two seasons at Liverpool, managing just four goals in 28 appearances during the 2014/15 campaign before being loaned to AC Milan for the following term.
Balotelli featured in merely six substitute appearances for Genoa after being used sparingly by Turkish club Adana Demirspor and Swiss side Sion over the preceding two seasons.
The striker rejected proposals from various clubs outside Italy this summer, hoping to remain in his homeland, and has no plans to retire from the game.
"To be honest, I'm at a dead end," Balotelli told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Physically, I feel good. I'm training for myself.
"This summer, I had offers from abroad, but secretly I hoped to stay in Italy for another year or two. But that opportunity never came.
"I'm fit and just waiting for the right opportunity.
"Football is still my life, but I only want to come back when I feel I can really contribute again."
Balotelli became one of the most exciting young players in Europe at Inter Milan during the late 2000s, helping the Italian side win three Serie A titles, the Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, and Champions League.
After scoring 28 goals in 86 games for Inter, the Golden Boy winner joined Manchester City in 2010 and helped the English team win the Premier League title during the 2011-12 campaign.
Balotelli famously celebrated his goal in City's 6-1 win against Manchester United in 2011 by lifting his shirt and revealing the message: "Why always me?"
He also set up Sergio Aguero's winner in the 2011-12 title decider against QPR, securing his place in City folklore.
Balotelli has enjoyed a decent career since then, scoring more than 200 goals for club and country, but failed to replicate the success he enjoyed with Inter and City.
Since leaving Liverpool, he's played for the likes of Nice, Marseille, and Brescia.
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