Balotelli scored his first goal in Vietnam on the day Xuan Son failed to score.

The forward Balotelli scored an important goal that enabled Ha Tinh to earn a 1-1 tie with Nam Dinh in the 13th round of the V-League.

The striker nicknamed Balotelli made his mark in the V-League after just two appearances. Previously, he debuted for Hong Linh Ha Tinh by playing 45 minutes in a goalless draw against Becamex TP.HCM.That was a sufficient warm-up, allowing the newcomer to adapt to the pace, intensity, and tactical demands set by the coaching staff.

The real turning point came in round 13. At Nam Dinh’s home ground, with time nearly expired, Balotelli was brought on from the bench. And in the 90+7th minute, he appeared at the right spot to complete the finish that earned a priceless equalizer, securing a point for the visitors. That moment instantly made the once unfamiliar name popular among many fans.

In fact, this signing was prepared by the Hong Mountain club to support the second half of the season. The management believes Balotelli’s arrival solves the personnel issue caused by serious damage to the attacking line. Adding a physically strong striker was considered an urgent priority to maintain the relegation target and improve results.

According to official information, the forward born in 1997 joined Ha Tinh on loan from Madura United and will stay until the end of the 2025/2026 season. He is from Guinea-Bissau, shares the same name as the famous Mario Balotelli, but his career path is completely different, quietly and steadily progressing through various clubs.

The reason Ha Tinh accelerated their transfer moves was due to Jeka’s long-term injury. When a key striker is sidelined, the goal-scoring burden falls on the remaining players, especially Atshimene Charles. Balotelli is therefore expected to share the load, provide a direct attacking option, and improve chance conversion.

In terms of skills, this newcomer is 1.87m tall, has good physical fitness, and plays with a powerful style. He has been through several clubs in Portugal before moving to Indonesia, where his time at PSM Makassar and Madura United helped him gain regional experience. At Madura United, Balotelli played 16 matches and scored 2 goals, a modest record but enough for Ha Tinh to place their trust in this new gamble.