Mario Balotelli, TIME's Person of the Year 2025?

  • By Elizabeth Sy
  • Rome
  • Last updated on

Mario Balotelli among finalists for TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year?

According to a top source, Mario Balotelli is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2025. But while the footballer's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.

UPDATE 23/04/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Why not Balotelli for Person of the Year?

The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 38-year-old footballer, as a 2025 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.

“What makes Balotelli so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the footballer have already been named ‘Italian Of The Year’ by some major Italian newspapers and even ‘Palermo Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Palermo (Mario Balotelli's hometown).

Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year

A representative for the footballer was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:

“Mario Balotelli Named Person of the Year Is No ‘Surprise’.”
— @TheNewsEditor, 22 Apr 2025
“Great choice! Long overdue recognition for his talents. #LoveMario”
— @BarbaraHeyboer, 22 Apr 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Mario Balotelli?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 22 Apr 2025

Could 2025 officially be the Year of Mario Balotelli?

Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2025 Person of the Year.

Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2025?

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