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Mario Balotelli Reportedly Had A Ridiculous £1m Clause In His Liverpool Contract

Mario Balotelli Reportedly Had A Ridiculous £1m Clause In His Liverpool Contract

Has any other footballer ever had a similar clause?

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

Mario Balotelli's brief spell as a Liverpool player was more notable for what the Italian striker didn't do, than what he actually did do.

The former AC Milan and Manchester City man certainly didn't score enough goals, registering just four goals in 28 appearances in all competitions before being offloaded to AC Milan on loan and then OGC Nice on a free transfer.

Crucially for Balotelli's bank balance, he didn't receive a single red card during his time at Anfield, either.

Before signing for Liverpool in a £16 million deal back in 2014, Balotelli had received his marching orders seven times during his career and then manager Brendan Rodgers was keen to ensure the Italian's on field behaviour was tempered so as not to hinder his side's chances during games.

Mario Balotelli Liverpool
Mario Balotelli Liverpool
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli

Balotelli's season at Anfield was an utter disaster. But at least he never saw red. Image: PA

This week, with the release of Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football, it has been revealed that Balotelli had a clause inserted into his contract that would reward him £1 million per year should he avoid being sent off three times during each season he played for the Reds.

"If during each season of the term of this contract the player is not dismissed from the field of play on three or more occasions for violent conduct, spitting, for using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures and/or for dissent ... then on the June 30 at the end of each season he shall receive a bonus payment of £1 million."


The clause was a success for the season Balotelli spent at Anfield (he spent his second year on loan at Milan) as he didn't receive a single red card, pocketing himself a cool £1 million on 30th June, 2015.

If only Brendan Rodgers had offered him the same amount for every 10 goals he scored he might have actually coaxed a few worthwhile performances out of of the Italian.

(H/T The Mirror)

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Mario Balotelli, Liverpool FC