Mario Balotelli: "I love AC Milan"
- Nima Tavallaey Roodsari (@NimaTavRood)
The former Inter and Liverpool striker began by professing his love for the Rossoneri saying that: "I love Milan, but I have to be honest, Milan are in a complicated situation right now. I wouldn’t want to go there and have people think I am the reason why Milan are struggling, which is what happened in the past. I would not want to go to Milan being treated as their saviour and then later accused of being the cause of all ills, blamed for things I didn’t do. That is always the risk with me. I wanted to go and say hello to the squad, as I’d already heard from Ignazio Abate, but a director said no. I think it was Fassone who wanted the team to be punished by this retreat. They won’t let in people from outside. It’s disappointing, as I would’ve liked to salute my former teammates."
Balotelli then turned to talk about the Italian national team stating that: "The fact that Ventura is no longer the coach says everythign really. I did see him in Nice, as he came to see me and said I was being kept in consideration. However, his squad was already made and he was not interested so much in how I played but rather how I would guide the team. He felt that to be involved, I had to be a positive example, someone for the others to look to. He asked me: ‘Why didn’t you do well at Liverpool?’ I told him that was in the past. If he wanted to know who I was, then talk to my Coach. If there are tactical decisions why I am not called up for international duty, I can understand that, but if you tell me it’s because I have to be a leader, then I’m less understanding. At the end of the day, it seemed like Ventura was looking for excuses not to call me up. In all honesty, if you ask me why I wasn’t called for international duty, I don’t have an answer. I don’t know, he must’ve had his ideas. I think more than being a leader of the team, it would’ve been more important to score a goal against Sweden in the play-offs and qualify for the World Cup. It made me angry to see players giving their heart and soul on the pitch, but it was obvious there were tactical problems that went behind the quality of the team. They might not be phenomenons, but Italy have very strong players. If you don’t beat Sweden over two legs, it means something is badly wrong. It wasn’t about the players, they were lacking something else."
Balotelli then adressed the issue of rumours circulating that players like Buffon had barred his selection from the team saying that: "I spoke to Gigi Buffon, I called him up and asked for his ideas. From what he told me, I don’t think there was anyone against me in the Azzurri group. I’ve heard this said many times, but Gigi is an honest, direct person and if there was truth to it, he would’ve told me. I am proud to be Italian, just as I am proud to be Ghanaian and to be black. I am and always will be proud to play for Italy. I know how much my father cared about that and think I had the best performances of my career playing for Italy. I always hope for a recall and to do more great things with the Azzurri."
Super Mario then revealedhis plans for the upcoming transfer market in January saying that: "I called Mino Raiola and asked: ‘What am I doing in January?’ He said he didn’t know. I want to remain, so we’ll see. Admittedly, I would like to get back to having a strong squad behind me. I want to play in the Champions League and win something. I am certainly not thinking about the end of my career yet. I am 27 years old, so I can play another six or seven years at the top level."
The former Manchester City striker then spoke about his time at the Eastlands saying: "It was the best year of my life, even if the city is a little difficult to live in. Manchester is not London. I hope they win the title this year."
In conclusion balotelli was asked about the Scudetto race saying that: "I hope Juventus don’t win the Scudetto. I hope for Inter or Napoli. De Laurentiis? It seems as if the he isn’t very fond of me. If a President wants a player, he signs him. He didn't."