Being a teenager and going to bed early, Andrea Belotti always had to try to hold back tears whenever his friends spent Saturday nights in clubs. "I always had to play the next day," said the "Torino" sniper. Belotti even then knew that in this world it is impossible to easily get anything. His father Roberto taught him from a very young age that sacrifices are often necessary to achieve goals. "When he worked as a construction worker in Milan, he would leave at seven in the morning, and return at seven in the evening with bruised knees, but still play football with us," Gazetta dello Sport quoted the Italian national team member. "My father told me: 'If you don't leave the field completely exhausted, that means you haven't given it your all'. I like to work hard." But anyone who saw Belotti play knows that these are not just empty words. Today he competes with few more dedicated 'number nines'. There are also few more versatile. Indeed, this season, the London "Arsenal" player was the first in all five strongest European leagues to score at least three times with his right foot, left foot, and head. In total, since August 21, he has already scored 14 goals in 18 matches. On the other hand, Belotti just continues what he started last season. Of the 12 precise strikes he managed to score in 2015-2016, 11 were made after the winter break. In short, 2016 was Belotti's breakthrough year. Both "Manchester United" and "Liverpool" are linked to the striker, and according to his club's sporting director, "Arsenal's" offer has already been rejected. Belotti recently signed a new contract with a €100 million release clause included. Gianluca Petrachi awaits an offer with no less amount. "Yes, we received an offer, but it does not reflect the player's value," the director said when asked about Arsenal's interest. The agreement for a higher release clause was a clever move by Torino. Filippo Inzaghi insists that the 23-year-old footballer is already "ready to move to one of the great clubs," while Fabio Capello believes that "Granata" has raised another Ciccio Graziani. Oliver Bierhoff, in turn, was so impressed by Belotti's performance representing the Italian national team in Milan that he described him as the type of sniper that Germany has been missing for some time. Of course, Italy needs a world-class striker even more. It can be argued that they have not had one since the days of Christian Vieri. "Azzurri" is positively influenced by the fact that Fabio Cannavaro sees certain traits of his former teammate in Belotti's game. "Belotti has his style," said the 2006 World Cup champion. "He strikes well with both his right and left feet. He is very strong physically. He can look full of grace like Bobo Vieri. He is a player who runs and fights for 90 minutes. Everyone likes him - both coaches and fans - he never gives opponents any space." This is precisely the most important thing because remembering Vieri putting in so much effort or imagining him going to bed early on those days when he had to play is difficult. Indeed, beyond the field, Belotti and 'Bobo' could not be more different. Vieri changed almost as many clubs as women. Meanwhile, Belotti is not motivated by fame or wealth. In order to move to "Palermo", he agreed to a €400,000 lower salary, and with the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, Giorgia, he will get married next summer in his native Sicily. Belotti is certainly not lacking in ambitions and he believes he can achieve great things in his career. His motto is "Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion" - a Michael Jordan quote tattooed on his arm. "A life based on imagined status creates nothing more than false relationships," he says. However, more than anything else, he is inclined to take care of those who cared for him, using the qualities he has been endowed with. That's why he analyzes Sergio Aguero's movements. That's why he works hard on the field. That's why he saves so much money to take care of his loved ones. That's why he says he will never let success go to his head. "I want people to still see Andrea from my hometown of Gorlago, because I haven't changed at all." "I still want to be a good person more than a good player." He is already both. Guess how the Serie A match between Torino and Bologna clubs will end! The betting company "CBet" considers the visiting team as favorites, what do you think?
