I am not a soccer fan, so someone please tell me what was wrong with what he did. If he made it he would have been on “Top Plays” no? And as another reader commented, isn’t a “friendly” just a practice match played for fun?

I kinda agree, but that move had absolutely no chance. And it kinda looked like he managed to half-ass his showboating. but yeah, I’m for entertainment in these things.

As for Balotelli in general, watch the name. He’ll either turn the corner and be a superstar, or he’ll flame out in an entertaining way and be a great punchline (or maybe, like Maradonna, both). He’s silky-smooth on the ball, got some good finishes in him, and he’s hella fast and strong. He’s got the tools.

20 isn’t incredibly young in soccer, though I’ll point out that Franck Ribery and Didier Drogba were pretty much unknowns at that age. But arguably they were different situations because they weren’t golden children like Balotelli has been in his youth career.

Cristiano Ronaldo turned the corner at big-time level at about the same age as Balotelli is now, and one senses that he wants to get it in gear pretty soon, because he’s now gotten a reputation he needs to try to get rid of. Man City definitely won’t be the last big club to give him a shot, but if he doesn’t work out there they could be the second-to-last.

//trying not to think about the BAR exam this week

You’re not alone. We’ll be all right.

OT but how do I get an icon next to my name like Der Kaiser and his flag? I figured it would be in “Edit Profile” but not seeing anything.

Go here. Use the same sign in and password you use for this site. Go nuts.

/longtime reader, fairly-new poster
//trying not to think about the BAR exam this week

I kept saying attitude is the same reason I didn’t want Chelsea to sign Neymar this year.

Neymar’s career would be over before it started if he went anywhere north of Spain to play soccer professionally.

Balotelli is extremely talented. He just doesn’t give a shit about being a professional.

I kept saying attitude is the same reason I didn’t want Chelsea to sign Neymar this year. As you said Kaiser, he had the chance for a fresh start, and he keeps pulling stuff like this, not really helping his cause.

I’d be curious to know how many immature, petulant, primadonna young players figure it out and fulfill their promise. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but it seems like if you are douchebag at 20, more than likely, you’ll be a douchebag at 26. It’s one thing if you are arrogant when you have achieved something. But when you are entitled when you haven’t done jack squat, that always throws up all sorts of red flag.

20 starting on Man City?

It’s not their A-crew playing in a lot of these friendlys so many young guys will get the start.

As far as how good he is. I’m not sold on him. He has yet to score 10+ goals in a league season. He is 20 year old striker, which isn’t THAT young in football. By that age you should be an established goal scorer in your club. Something he isn’t at this point of his career. Ironically, his bad attitude is masking his bad play. If I had to guess, if he ever matures emotionally, I’d say he can become a 15-18 goal per season scorer in EPL. Good. Not great.

I would have pulled him either way.

comments needs either a “/no homo” or a “/coop”

My question is: Was he pulled for trying it or for missing it? Would have been interesting to see how the manager would have dealt with him had it went in.

I would have pulled him either way.