Former Italy striker Mario Balotelli has revealed that Ghana legends Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari were the players he admired most while growing up, describing the pair as his biggest football inspirations from Ghana.
Balotelli, who was born in Italy to Ghanaian parents, said he closely followed the Black Stars during his childhood and looked up to several Ghanaian stars before establishing himself as one of Italy’s most recognisable forwards.
His admiration for the duo became even stronger after sharing a dressing room with Muntari at Inter Milan, where the pair were part of the historic team that won the UEFA Champions League under José Mourinho in 2010. Balotelli also watched Appiah’s impressive performances during the former Black Stars captain’s successful spell with Juventus FC.
“I used to love Stephen Appiah. I used to love him, then I played with Sulley Muntari. These two were the players I looked up to the most. Especially Sulley Muntari because we played together at Inter Milan. He could shoot from anywhere,” Balotelli told beIN Sports.
The 35-year-old represented Italy at both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, despite being eligible to play for Ghana through his parents.
With Italy absent from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Balotelli has openly declared his support for the Black Stars, saying he remains proud of his Ghanaian heritage.
The former Manchester City and AC Milan striker was present at Lincoln Financial Field to watch Ghana’s final Group L match against Croatia and reaffirmed his admiration for the current Black Stars squad.
“There is no Italy in the World Cup, so I support Ghana. I am from Ghana, and I’m proud. I love the players. Antoine Semenyo, I love the way he plays. I think the 2010 team was the best Ghana team,” he said.
Ghana will now turn their attention to a crucial Round of 32 showdown against Colombia national football team on Friday in Kansas City, with a place in the World Cup Round of 16 up for grabs.
