Mario Balotelli during his spell at Manchester City. Image || FILE

Former Italian international Mario Balotelli, who turns 35 tomorrow, has opened up about his career highs, lows, and lingering dreams in a candid interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Currently without a club since parting ways with Dan Șucu’s Genoa in January, Balotelli says he still has more football left in him.

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Benni McCarthy has reflected on the tactical decisions that helped Harambee Stars edge Morocco’s Atlas Lions.

“I’d like to play for another two or three years. Then, I’ll finish my career alongside my brother, Enock. But yes, my dream is to play for Real Madrid!”

Balotelli also reflected on his brief but memorable spell at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, where he shared the pitch with the Dos Santos brothers, Thiago Alântara, and Bojan Krkić.

“It was great. They only taught us technique—ball control and quick passing, no tactics. It was a joy to step onto the pitch. That team wasn’t even fair; we’d win 15–0.”

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In just three matches for the academy side, he scored eight goals. His time there ended abruptly due to financial disagreements between the club and his representatives, leading him to sign with Inter Milan.

It was at Inter where one of his most controversial moments unfolded—throwing his shirt to the ground at San Siro.

Balotelli also took time to opine on the ongoing Ademola Lookman transfer saga after the Atalanta man deleted all social media posts related to the club, who turned down a 45 million pound bid from Inter Milan for his services earlier this month.

The reigning African Player of the Year has already agreed personal terms with Inter and is keen on a move to the San Siro, but Atalanta continue to stand firm on their €50 million valuation.

Inter’s second bid, €42 million plus €3 million in bonuses, was officially turned down by Atalanta on Friday.

Frustrated by the breakdown in negotiations, Lookman has removed all references to Atalanta from his Instagram profile. His bio now simply reads “Football player for Nigeria,” with no mention of Atalanta Football Club.

This reminded Balotelli of the time he threw his Inter Milan shirt in anger at the end of his team’s 3-1 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Despite the win Balotelli, who was given a less than supportive welcome by home fans when introduced in the 75th minute at San Siro, was in no mood to celebrate. Instead, having already gestured to the crowd after shooting wide, the then 19-year-old threw his jersey to the turf and marched angrily towards the tunnel at full-time.

It is a decision Balotelli now believes was his biggest mistake as he prepares to turn 35.

“I’ve long regretted that gesture when I took off my Inter shirt. That’s why I’m saying now that, if I were Lookman, I wouldn’t have deleted the photos of myself in the Atalanta shirt from social media. The fans aren’t to blame.”

The Harambee Stars shotstopper has had to overcome alot of challenges to become the commanding presence he is in goal nowadays.

Having played for both sides of the Milan divide, Balotelli clarified his allegiances:

“As a child, I supported the Nerazzurri because my idol was Ronaldo, and I’ve never hidden my affection for the Rossoneri. But being a fan is different.”

As he celebrates his 35th birthday, Balotelli remains a mix of unfulfilled promise, enduring charisma, and unshaken ambition—still dreaming of wearing Real Madrid’s famous white shirt before hanging up his boots.