Balotelli admits he "missed chances" to match Messi and Ronaldo’s level
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Mario Balotelli believes he had the ability to match Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but “missed some chances” to become a modern-day great of the game.
Balotelli enjoyed a brilliant start to his career, winning three Serie A titles and the Champions League with Inter Milan before moving to Manchester City.
The Italian striker’s mercurial talent was obvious at City, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup, but Balotelli struggled for consistency.
He left Man City in 2013 and has experienced a journeyman career since, moving around England, Italy, France and Turkey.
Still only 31 years old, Balotelli is now playing for Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Super Lig, where he has 10 goals and three assists in 22 appearances this season.
Speaking with former Man City team-mate Nedum Onuoha forThe Athletic, Balotelli was asked about a time when he claimed he was as good as Messi and Ronaldo during conversation at City’s training ground.
“I missed some chances to be at that level,” he said.
“But I am 100 per cent sure that my quality is the same level as these people, but I… I missed some chances, you know? It happens.
“And nowadays, I cannot say I’m as good as Ronaldo, because Ronaldo won how many golden balls (Ballons d’Or)? Five?
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“You cannot compare yourself to Messi and Ronaldo, nobody can. But if we’re talking about only quality, football quality, I have nothing to be jealous of them, to be honest.”
Balotelli was one of the hottest prospects in European football in his early days.
He won the Golden Boy award in 2010 for the best young player in Europe and was named in the UEFA team of the tournament following his impact at Euro 2012.
In hindsight, Balotelli recognises that it was a mistake for him to leave Man City for AC Milan in January 2013 after a falling out with manager Roberto Mancini.
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“I think that was my biggest mistake, to leave City,” he said.
“Even in the year when I left, I played very well in Milan for a year and a half, but after that, I had some problems.
“And now that I’m older, I know that I shouldn’t have left City at that time.
“All these years seeing City improving, improving and improving. I could have been here like Sergio Aguero for a long time.
“If I had my mindset now, when I was at City, probably one golden ball (Ballon d’Or) I could have won, I’m sure about this. But you know, when you grow up, you mature more, so…”
- Champions League
- Premier League
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Lionel Messi
- Sergio Aguero
- Serie A
- Manchester City FC
- Inter Milan FC
- AC Milan FC
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