Mario Bolatti

Mario Ariel Bolatti (born 17 February 1985) is an Argentine former footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Club career Bolatti began his career in 2003 at Belgrano. In 2006, his team was promoted to the Argentine Primera División, but the club was relegated after only one season in the top flight. Bolatti was subsequently transferred to Portuguese club Porto in July 2007, where he signed a four-year contract. Porto acquired 60% of his economic rights for future transfer fees the club received while unnamed parties held the remaining 40%.

Bolatti moved on a six-month loan to Huracán for the 2009 Torneo Clausura upon recommendation from Porto teammate Lucho González. He was selected as the best player in the tournament by Argentine sports daily Olé and was a key player in Huracán's championship bid, which was thwarted by Vélez Sarsfield in the last match.

In July 2009, Porto sold all its economic rights in Bolatti (60%) to Natland Financieringsmaatschappij B.V. in order to acquire Radamel Falcao's remaining registration rights from the Dutch company. Both economic rights were valued at €1.5 million, Porto received €500,000 for its 20% portion, but using the previous "market" value of €2.5 million as calculation.

On 6 February 2011, Bolatti joined Brazilian Série A club Internacional for €4.5 million. Two years later, and after receiving limited playing time during the previous season, Bolatti signed with Argentine side Racing Club on a six-month loan.

International career On 14 October 2009 in Montevideo, Uruguay, after coming on as a substitute, Bolatti scored the crucial goal in the 84th minute of the game which ensured Argentina's qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was later named to Argentina's final 23-man squad by manager Diego Maradona for the tournament's final stages, in South Africa.

After retirement In March 2021, Bolatti was hired as a technical secretary at his former club Huracán.

International goals

Honours Porto Primeira Liga (1): 2007–08 Taça de Portugal (1): 2008–09

Internacional Campeonato Gaúcho (2): 2011, 2012 Recopa Sudamericana (1): 2011