Rome, 11 July (LaPresse) – Mario Balotelli is set to begin his first full season at Al Ittifaq, having joined the club last January (14 appearances and 6 goals). The striker, who turns 36 in August, spoke exclusively to SportMediaset about the reasons behind this decision: “I’m happy here, it’s a good project and this team has potential for improvement. And besides, life in Dubai is good. I don’t know how long I’ll carry on, but certainly as long as I have this passion for training, sweating it out, taking to the pitch and scoring. Even if everything that goes hand in hand with this football is starting to get on my nerves.” It’ll be a ‘Balo-bis’ on the pitch too because, for the first time in a competitive team, he’ll be able to play alongside his brother Enock: “Physically, he’s a beast; he’ll do well. And I’ll be a pain in his neck…‘. Does Balotelli miss Serie A? ’I miss Italian football from 15 years ago – the way it was, the way the game was played and the players who were there. I’d love to see Serie A back at the top. It’s unlikely I’ll return to Italy; I’d told myself that Genoa would be my last attempt, but the club got it all wrong. It’s a shame because the atmosphere was brilliant, the team was strong, and the fans were fantastic.” And does Serie A miss Balotelli? “In terms of pure quality, even today I don’t see any players in Italy who are better than me; then, of course, modern football favours players with more pace and physicality. I don’t see players like me – there are plenty of strong players, but none who have my style of play.” Speaking of Italy, the last goal scored by the Azzurri at the World Cup was his own, 12 years ago against England: “It’s nothing to be proud of; in fact, it’s a sad thing. Too many years have passed.” On the criticism he’s received over the years: “I did a few silly things; I was a lively young lad, and there was a bit of relentless criticism. I don’t regret it because it helped me grow. But when I see what’s going on these days and the disgusting behaviour of certain people, I have a clear conscience – I’ve never hurt anyone.” As for football today, he had high praise for Chivu: “He was always on the ball, even as a player; he was already a coach on the pitch, tactically astute and intelligent. And then, listening to some of the Inter players, he’s still a bit of a footballer at heart, and that – if done in the right measure – is a good thing. Inter remain the team to beat.”
Balotelli: ‘In Serie A, no one is better than me in terms of quality’
Rome, 11 July (LaPresse) – Mario Balotelli is set to begin his first full season at Al Ittifaq, having joined the club last January (14 appearances and 6 goals). The striker, who turns 36 in August, spoke exclusively to SportMediaset about the reasons behind this decision: “I’m happy here, it’s a good project and this team has potential for improvement. And besides, life in Dubai is good. I don’t know how long I’ll carry on, but certainly as long as I have this passion for training, sweating it out, taking to the pitch and scoring. Even if everything that goes hand in hand with this football is starting to get on my nerves.” It’ll be a ‘Balo-bis’ on the pitch too because, for the first time in a competitive team, he’ll be able to play alongside his brother Enock: “Physically, he’s a beast; he’ll do well. And I’ll be a pain in his neck…‘. Does Balotelli miss Serie A? ’I miss Italian football from 15 years ago – the way it was, the way the game was played and the players who were there. I’d love to see Serie A back at the top. It’s unlikely I’ll return to Italy; I’d told myself that Genoa would be my last attempt, but the club got it all wrong. It’s a shame because the atmosphere was brilliant, the team was strong, and the fans were fantastic.” And does Serie A miss Balotelli? “In terms of pure quality, even today I don’t see any players in Italy who are better than me; then, of course, modern football favours players with more pace and physicality. I don’t see players like me – there are plenty of strong players, but none who have my style of play.” Speaking of Italy, the last goal scored by the Azzurri at the World Cup was his own, 12 years ago against England: “It’s nothing to be proud of; in fact, it’s a sad thing. Too many years have passed.” On the criticism he’s received over the years: “I did a few silly things; I was a lively young lad, and there was a bit of relentless criticism. I don’t regret it because it helped me grow. But when I see what’s going on these days and the disgusting behaviour of certain people, I have a clear conscience – I’ve never hurt anyone.” As for football today, he had high praise for Chivu: “He was always on the ball, even as a player; he was already a coach on the pitch, tactically astute and intelligent. And then, listening to some of the Inter players, he’s still a bit of a footballer at heart, and that – if done in the right measure – is a good thing. Inter remain the team to beat.”
