Overview
- Al-Ittifaq announced the move on January 11, confirming Balotelli will begin playing in Dubai immediately.
- The transfer represents the 14th club of his professional career following spells at Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter and Liverpool.
- Balotelli had been without a team since July 2025 after his stint with Genoa in Serie A.
- Club leader Pietro Laterza, an Italian, was reported as the figure who initiated contact that led to the deal.
- In October, Balotelli told Gazzetta dello Sport he still wants a return to Italy duty, having earned 36 caps and scored 14 goals.