4 days ago
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Mario Balotelli has spoken about his past experiences at both Milan clubs, and also commented on Adriano Galliani’s potential return.
Balotelli joined Inter in 2007 and was a part of the team that won the treble in the 2009-10 season. He then headed to Manchester City, reuniting with Roberto Mancini, helping them win a Premier League title and FA Cup.
He moved back to Serie A in the 2013 winter transfer window, signing for Inter’s rivals and his boyhood club Milan. He signed for Liverpool 18 months later and would return to the Rossoneri on loan.
Since then things have been turbulent for the Italian, who has played for Nice and Marseille in Ligue 1, Brescia, Monza and Genoa in Italy, Adana Demirspor in Turkey and FC Sion in Switzerland.
‘Good to see Galliani back’
Balotelli turns 35 tomorrow. After leaving Genoa on a free transfer, the former Inter and Milan striker is still available on the free agent market and opened up about his career in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. His comments were relayed by Calciomercato.com.
Where will we see you again on the pitch?
“I’d like to answer, but I can’t (laughs). A dream? To play for Real Madrid… Actually, I’m looking for a club that will give me confidence.
“I’m happy and I feel ready. I want to play another two or three years and then I’ll go to my brother Enock, who currently plays for Vado among the amateurs. Anyway, I promised him that I’ll end my career playing with him.”
What about Barcelona?
“I still have a dream, that time spent in Barcelona, then Moratti offered more to Lumezzane and I moved to Inter. It was a wonderful experience, I was with the Dos Santos brothers, with Thiago Alcantara, Bojan.
“We played freely. They only taught us technique: stopping and passing on the fly, no tactics. It was a joy to go on the pitch, that team was not legal, we won 15-0.”
You have played for both sides of Milan…
“I’ve had and given a lot at both clubs. As a boy, I was a fan of the Nerazzurri because my idol was Ronaldo the Phenomenon, and I’ve never hidden my affection for the Rossoneri world. But being a fan is another thing. I’m happy for Allegri, and it’s good to see Galliani back, two important figures.”
How do you reflect on your career with the national team?
“I could have put in more effort. I still regret the national team: I could have played more. Did I score 14 goals like Rivera? Let’s forget it. If I’d had more chances, maybe I could have gotten closer to Riva.
“Some people didn’t want me in the national team… But that’s water under the bridge. Gattuso deserves my best wishes , he’ll give it his all.”
What about the young strikers Italy have?
“It’s a serious problem. Young players aren’t given consistency, they’re sent to the lower leagues, and after a few months they’re already changing sides. They get lost. Pio Esposito, Francesco Camarda, and Lorenzo Venturino? I trained with Venturino at Genoa, he’s got good shots: he deserves trust.
“I’ve also seen Camarda in some snippets at AC Milan and I’m curious to see how he’ll progress at Lecce. But I especially like Pio. I know his brother Seba and I’ve seen him live several times at Brescia.
“He has everything it takes to make it big. I hope he makes his way at Inter; he could be the surprise package. But to stay at the top level, you have to break the ice.”
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