Mario Balotelli, the Ghanaian-born Milan AC striker who scored the decisive second goal in Italy’s 2-1 victory against England was adopted and raised by a Jewish family from the age of three.
His foster parents, Silvia, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, and Francesco Balotelli are Italian Jews from the town of Concesio in the province of Brescia, in northern Italy.
At the Eurochampionship 2012, Balotelli, nicknamed 'Super Mario' dedicated the two goals he scored in Italy’s 2-1 semifinals victory over Germany to his Jewish mother and rushed over to embrace her as she wept after the win.
According to the British media, Balotelli could join Arsenal the next season. He already played for Manchester City before joining Milan.