MARIO BAOTELLI has appeared to take an X-rated dig at Patrick Vieira after he was sacked by Genoa.
The Arsenal legend was axed from the Serie A side following their 2-0 defeat to Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese.
The result meant Geona’s wait for a win was extended to nine league games.
The Liguria-based side are one of four winless clubs and are rock bottom in Italy’s top flight.
But it was the 2-0 loss to Cremonese that proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Vieira.
The former midfielder was sacked by club chiefs and not everyone was upset by his dismissal.
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Balotelli, 35, left Genoa at the end of last season, having arrived at the club just a month before Vieira was appointed in November 2024.
He was signed by former Italy forward-turned-manager Alberto Gilardino and chairman Alberto Zangrillo.
The striker only played six times for the club prior to being left out of the squad before a hand injury ruled him out for the season.
It was not the first time he had worked with Vieira after their paths crossed at Ligue 1 side Nice.
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And it appears there is no love lost between the two as Balotelli took an X-rated swipe at his former boss.
The former Man City and Liverpool striker posted on social media and suggested the club can move on now.
He wrote: “Karma is a b****.
“God sees everything and takes care of the rest.
“Now Genoa can finally focus on people who really like the environment, supporters and the badge and who deeply believe that Genoa deserves to be at the top.
“The excellent work done by Gilardino and Zangrillo was not in vain.
“It was simply exploited in a selfish and dishonest way by those who succeeded them, taking advantage of what they had built with relentlessness, respect and passion.
“They exploited the immense work of Gilardino and Zangrillo, their commitment and dedication to these colours, without really understanding their value.”
Balotelli and Vieira’s history spans further than just player-manager as they were team-mates at both Man City and Inter Milan.
They played 44 times together across both clubs.
Vieira, 49, has spoken about having to manage Balotelli at times and admitted it was not an easy job.
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He previously said: “When it comes to Mario, I want to answer back, or just slam him up against the wall, or leave him hanging by his collar on the coat rack.
“But I can’t, as I’m no longer a player.”
