Mario Balotelli has reignited his long-running dispute with Zlatan Ibrahimović by pointing to the most notable omission from the former Sweden captain’s trophy collection.
During a recent interview with Ellis Platten of AwayDays, Balotelli reportedly highlighted that Ibrahimović never won the Champions League despite representing some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Balotelli, by contrast, was part of the Inter squad that lifted the trophy under José Mourinho in 2010.
Balotelli targets missing trophy
The Italian forward’s latest comment was brief but deliberately pointed.
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Ibrahimović won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France during a distinguished career. However, he never lifted the Champions League despite representing Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
As detailed by UEFA in its overview of players with the most appearances without winning the competition, Ibrahimović ended his career without claiming European club football’s leading prize.
Balotelli was part of the Inter side that defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the 2010 final in Madrid. According to UEFA’s account of his Inter career, he scored 28 goals across three seasons at the club and contributed two goals during their successful Champions League campaign.
Ibrahimović questioned Balotelli’s career
The latest remark continues an exchange that became public in October 2023.
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Speaking at La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Festival dello Sport, Ibrahimović argued that Balotelli had failed to make the most of his considerable ability.
As quoted by Relevo, Ibrahimović said:
“Balotelli had so many opportunities to make use of his talent and change his future. He never did. That is the truth.”
He continued:
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“There are so many people who only want one opportunity. He wasted every opportunity he had.”
Ibrahimović also rejected a comparison between Balotelli and Rafael Leão, arguing that the Portuguese forward had made better use of his talent.
Balotelli responded with Champions League photo
Balotelli did not issue a lengthy response at the time. Instead, he shared a photograph of himself holding the Champions League trophy after Inter’s 2010 triumph and tagged Ibrahimović in the post.
According to Goal’s report on the exchange, the picture was accompanied by three heart emojis, leaving little doubt about the message behind it.
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The photograph carried particular significance because Ibrahimović had left Inter for Barcelona in 2009, one season before Mourinho’s side completed a historic treble by winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.
Balotelli and Ibrahimović were teammates at Inter between 2007 and 2009. Both became known for their ability, confidence and outspoken personalities, but their careers followed markedly different paths after leaving Milan.
Ibrahimović enjoyed greater longevity and collected considerably more domestic honours. Balotelli, however, retains one advantage that continues to feature whenever their public disagreement resurfaces: a Champions League winner’s medal.
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