Balotelli's UAE Leap: Free Transfer Sparks a New Chapter in the Arabian Gulf
10 January 2026
Balotelli Heads to the UAE
Italian forward Mario Balotelli has officially joined UAE club Al-Ettifaq, the former Inter, Milan, Liverpool, and Manchester City star announced on Saturday.
The transfer is on a free deal, bringing Balotelli to the Arabian Gulf for the first time.
Al-Ettifaq competes in the UAE's First Division, the second tier, and currently sits 15th with six points.
Balotelli's latest stint was with Genoa last season, where he played 6 league games and failed to score or assist.
This marks the Italian forward's first professional adventure outside Europe.
Punchline: Balotelli signs in the UAE; finally, a league where the heat isn't the only thing that burns.
Punchline: If he finds the net, the defense will need sunscreen.
