Football

Mario Balotelli, the former Italy international striker, has found a new home at Genoa, a Serie A club struggling with injuries. Genoa, currently languishing in 18th place, has signed Balotelli until the end of the season to bolster their depleted attacking options.Balotelli, now 34, was once a rising star in Italian football, showcasing his prowess at Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan, and Liverpool. However, his career has been marked by both on-field brilliance and off-field controversies.Despite his past, Genoa has taken a gamble on Balotelli, hoping to reignite his spark and help them escape the relegation zone. The club has been plagued by injuries, with seven players currently sidelined, including forwards Junior Messias, Vitinha, and Caleb Ekuban.Balotelli's arrival brings a wealth of experience to Genoa. He has played a pivotal role in three Serie A titles with Inter Milan and the 2010 Champions League triumph under Jose Mourinho. He also starred for Italy at Euro 2012, helping them reach the final.However, Balotelli has also faced his share of challenges. He has been the target of racist abuse in Italy, and his off-field antics have often overshadowed his on-field achievements.Despite these setbacks, Balotelli remains a talented striker with a proven track record. Genoa will be hoping that he can rediscover his form and help them avoid relegation. He is expected to make his debut against Fiorentina on Thursday.

Arsenal have bolstered their defensive ranks with the acquisition of Italian international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The 22-year-old left-back has penned a long-term contract with the Premier League giants, reportedly worth £42 million ($54 million) over five years.Calafiori's arrival at the Emirates Stadium marks Arsenal's second major signing of the summer transfer window, following the permanent acquisition of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford. The Gunners are eager to improve upon their second-place finish in the 2023/24 Premier League season, where they narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City by just two points.Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at securing Calafiori's services, hailing him as a "great signing" who will provide "huge strength" to Arsenal's defense. Arteta praised Calafiori's "big personality and character," as well as his "specific skills" that will enhance the team's ability to compete for major trophies.Calafiori has impressed with his performances for both Bologna and Italy in recent seasons, earning a call-up to the Azzurri squad for Euro 2024. His progression and development over the past year have been particularly noteworthy, according to Arteta.The Italian defender is expected to play a key role in Arsenal's quest for silverware in the upcoming campaign. His arrival adds depth and quality to the Gunners' backline, which already includes Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.With Calafiori now on board, Arsenal will be looking to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title and other domestic and European competitions in the 2024/25 season.