(ANSA) – Rome, August 17 – (ANSA) – Mario Balotelli played down his bad boy image at his presentation at a Manchester City player Tuesday following his big money move from European and Italian champions Inter Milan.
The talented striker, who turned 20 and made his full Italy debut last week, has a reputation for being rebellious after a series of run-ins with former Inter coach Jose’ Mourinho’.
But he is looking forward to warmer relations with the coaching staff from now on after a 28-million-euro transfer that reunites him with former Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who gave him his Serie A debut at the age of 17 in 2007.
”I am not a bad boy, I am just a normal lad,” said Balotelli, who was known by admirers in Italy as Super Mario but has been nicknamed ‘Mad Mario’ by some British tabloids. ”It was very important that Roberto Mancini is the manager here. It was one of the most important factors in my move. If he weren’t here, I probably wouldn’t have come.
”He gave me my start in the senior team at Inter and showed faith in me”.
Mancini’s comments Tuesday suggested that faith is unshaken.
”Mario has everything needed to be a fantastic player,” the manager to reporters. ”We were all problematic when we were young. I think he can develop as a man and as a player. I doubt we can win the Premier League with 20 angels”.
Balotelli, who is of Ghanaian decent, said he was slightly sad to leave Italy despite frequently being the target of racist abuse by opposition fans. ”I’m sorry to leave my family and friends in Italy, but I’m very happy to be here at City from a professional point of view,” he said.