Mario Balotelli, known for his unconventional behavior throughout his career, apparently displayed a similar attitude during his school days. According to former teammate Luca Caldirola, Balotelli would often abruptly leave classes without warning.
Caldirola, who played alongside Balotelli in Inter Milan`s youth academy, shared these revelations in a recent interview. The players attended a specialized school as part of their academy training, but Balotelli found it challenging to maintain focus.
“Mario possessed incredible talent,” Caldirola recalled. “However, during school, he would occasionally stop and announce, `I`m leaving now,` and simply walk out of the classroom.”
Currently, Balotelli is part of the Genoa squad, though he has been sidelined by coach Patrick Vieira, making only six brief appearances this season.
Mourinho`s Impact on Young Players
Caldirola also shared insights about José Mourinho, who coached the senior Inter squad during their time in the academy. “Mourinho was fantastic, but different from his public persona,” Caldirola explained. “He was an excellent actor, skilled at deflecting attention, but in daily interactions, he was great fun to work with.”
Caldirola`s Journey to Professional Football
Interestingly, Caldirola almost didn`t pursue a career with Inter due to his childhood allegiance to AC Milan. “When a scout approached me to join Inter, I initially refused because I was a Milan fan,” he admitted. “I was only seven, but my parents eventually convinced me.”
Caldirola, now a defender, explored various positions before finding his niche. “I started as a goalkeeper, following in my father`s and brother`s footsteps. Then I became a striker, idolizing Marco van Basten as a child.”