"Ho bisogno d'aiuto, rovino sempre tutto." With these simple words – "I need help, I always ruin everything" – Mario Balotelli made a plea for assistance to Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli. It has a desperate ring, especially coming from one so young.
Anyone with any experience of some form of depression will find the statement terribly familiar. It is easy to get caught up in a circle of negative thinking which believes all actions are futile and end up in disaster. It often takes some outside aid to break that pattern.
That's not to say SuperMario has any such problems. However, it is clear that the Manchester City striker does have issues. How the Azzurri help nurture his talent can give an example to the nation as a whole.
This is a watershed moment for the Italy team. Never before have they had such a talented young black player at their disposal. He is playing a pioneering role in the story of La Nazionale. He can blaze a trail for the likes of Stefano Okaka and Angelo Ogbonna to try to follow.
Make no mistake, there are many people who would love to see him fail. They have struggled over the years to come to terms with South American Oriundi who did not attempt to sing the national anthem. For them, seeing a black player in Azzurri blue was simply a step too far.
"No to a multi-ethnic Italy" – their banner proclaimed at a recent friendly match. They would be more than happy to see Balotelli destroyed by his demons and never get near to representing his country again. It would be to Italian football's shame if that was allowed to happen.
There are two issues here that are intertwined – questions of race and temperament. Plenty of people are willing to use the latter as a way to camouflage their views on the former. It is important to try to disentangle the two areas.
Balotelli is often his own worst enemy and his behaviour on the field of play lets him down. But is he much worse than, say, a young Francesco Totti or Antonio Cassano? Nobody is calling for special treatment for the former Inter forward – simply equal treatment to everyone else.
It is only fair to point out that Balotelli has faced greater difficulties than most to get his career to this stage. Racism remains an issue of enormous concern in Italy. It is hard to believe that many of his “attitudes” are not down to his experience of growing up as a young black man in that country.
But does the argument of what came first – Mario's bad behaviour or the chants and jeers he has faced – really matter? Some will say his treatment has nothing to do with the colour of his skin. It is not, however, an argument I find convincing. Many people seem all-too-happy to use his most minor misdemeanours as an excuse to give vent to the most cowardly abuse. The nature of those insults is inexcusable, no matter his actions on the field of play.
This has now become an issue that rises above any question of race. We have seen plenty of fine footballers driven out of the game or failing to realise their talents due to some internal turmoil. The sport has a duty to try to help avoid Balotelli becoming another name on that list.
He has admitted he has a problem, which is admirable in a man who has not yet turned 21. And, in Prandelli, he could not have a national team Coach more inclined to give him assistance, understanding and guidance. Ultimately, of course, it is a battle which Balotelli will have to win on his own. However, anyone who holds Italian football dear should have a vested interest in hoping that he emerges victorious.
http://www.football-italia.net/blogs/gr117.html
At least he is aware that he needs help. The English media really does need to lay off him a bit. The guy needs room to breathe, especially given the situation he's coming from in Italy.
