Football Italia
·11 February 2025
Balotelli responds to racist abuse aimed at Kean
![Article image:Balotelli responds to racist abuse aimed at Kean](https://image-service.onefootball.com/transform?w=280&h=210&dpr=2&image=https%3A%2F%2Ficdn.football-italia.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F12%2FMario-Balotelli-Genoa.jpg)
Football Italia
·11 February 2025
Genoa striker Mario Balotelli was among those showing support for Moise Kean after the Fiorentina star was racially abused on social media: ‘We Italians and true Africans are proud of you.’
Kean was subjected to racist abuse on social media after Fiorentina’s 2-1 loss against Inter on Monday.
The Viola forward received support from players and Serie A clubs, while his club Fiorentina said they would report racist users to local authorities.
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Moise Kean of Fiorentina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Genoa striker Mario Balotelli, who shared the same agent as Kean, Mino Raiola, for many years, wrote in an Instagram story on Tuesday: “He’s Italian, he’s Black, and he’s my little brother! We Italians and true Africans are proud of you. Racists, you’re all alone now.”
Kean has scored 15 goals in Serie A for Fiorentina, making him the league’s second-highest scorer behind Atalanta star Mateo Retegui.