Who most influenced Mario Balotelli's soccer career?

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere tells ESPN FC Nice how the club have become a home for football's more complicated personalities. read more

I think Mario has not been influenced by a player yet. I mean sure he has learned from a lot of players but not influenced i think, if he would have been influenced he would have changed for good or worse but he remains the same. read more

Since moving to France he averages better than a goal every other game: in his career as a whole, it's closer to one in three. Perhaps this shouldn't be a huge surprise. Nice have become the go-to destination for high-profile players who have lost their way, to rehabilitate their careers. read more

It's been quite a fall for Mario Balotelli. Four years ago, he was the up-and-comer in the Italian player pool. He had just provided the deciding assist to give Manchester City their first English title since 1968—a last-second pass to Sergio Aguero that will go down as one of the defining moments in the Premier League this century. read more