2nd in Süper Lig top scorers list
As if it wasn’t enough that he scored five goals in this game: In the 7-0 gala Adana Demirspors against relegated Göztepe on the last day of the Turkish Süper Lig, Italy’s ex-national striker Mario Balotelli once again left the comment columns on social media glow. The 31-year-old marked his goals 14 to 18 of the season on Sunday evening – and immortalized himself with his last goal in the season reviews.
Balotelli let defender Atakan Cankaya run into space with seven step-overs and then maneuvered the ball into the goal with a so-called rabona, a shot with the right foot behind the left leg. Previously, the former Liverpool, Milan, Man City or Inter professional had already scored a flawless hat trick between the 33rd and 44th minute.
Balotelli thus crowned his best season since his engagement at OGC Nice four years ago. The five-goal put him in second place in the Süper Lig top scorer list with 18 goals this season – past Serdar Dursun (30), Joel Pohjanpalo (27) and Alexandru Maxim (31). Only Kasimpasa’s Umut Bozok (25) has surpassed Balotelli with 20 goals this season.
With Diouf, Dursun & Balotelli: Best Süper Lig scorers 2021/22
Turkey expert: Mario Balotelli stays – 5 five-packers in the first leagues 2021/22
“Balotelli settled in well at Adana Demirspor right from the start and quickly became a fan favourite,” says Lara Karacan, Lead of Content Transfermarkt Turkey. “He did have some typical Balotelli moments this season, such as his provocative goal celebration in the direction of ex-Besiktas coach Sergen Yalcin. A few years ago he had described him as ‘brainless’ on television. Towards the end, however, it is above all his sporting achievements that are remembered.”
Five goals in one game: Only five professionals managed that in all the first leagues in the TM database including Balotelli: In front of the Adana Demirspor player Samy Frioui (30) from MC Algiers in Algeria (8:2 on March 13 against Rélizane), Ayoub El Hmidi (21) for Mons Calpe SC from Gibraltar (10-0 on January 8 against Europa Point), Michael Olunga (28) from Al-Duhail SC in Qatar (5-0 against Al-Sailiya on September 26) and the Ex-Nuremberg Michael Frey (27) on August 8, 2021 for Royal Antwerp (5-2 against Standard Liège).
Karacan is certain about Balotelli’s future: “Unless a club comes up with an offer where he can play internationally again, he will stay in Adana. The club doesn’t fail because of the money, he also has a number of advertising contracts in Turkey and obviously feels at home.” In the course of his move from AC Monza last summer, Balotelli signed with Adana Demirspor until 2024.
To home page