Balotelli: Milan is in my heart
Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli is determined to resurrect his career after rejoining AC Milan on a season-long loan deal that has divided fans and pundits in Italy. The Italy forward moved to the Reds from I Rossoneri in the summer of 2014, but after a poor campaign at Anfield has returned in the opposite direction.
Milan have made the deal official on their official website and after emerging from a medical early on Tuesday morning, Balotelli told reporters: “I’m happy to be back.
“This club is in my heart and I always hoped to play here again. Physically I’m in good condition, I just have to get training with the squad.”
Asked about his motivation, he said: “I’ve got plenty, but now is not the time to talk, it’s time to get to work.”
As for the future, he added: “I have to start work from today and to have a good season. Then we’ll see what happens.”
Boban, fans not in favour
Balotelli’s failure to spark at Liverpool has also left his international career in tatters. He has yet to feature in any games for Gli Azzurri during qualifying for UEFA EURO 2016.
Yet it remains to be seen if the 25-year-old, who has often been accused of wasting his playing talent, can resurrect his career this season. Balotelli, who began his career with city rivals Inter Milan before moving to Manchester City in 2010, was feted by the vast majority of Milan fans when he joined them in January 2013.
But the player’s second spell at Milan is not being met with the same fervour – among supporters or in the media. Recent polls have shown an overwhelming majority of fans to be against Balotelli’s return to the club. On Monday night a survey on the popular Processo del Lunedi football show on Rai television indicated that close to 62 per cent of followers were against Balotelli’s return.
Former Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban, a respected pundit on Sky Sport who is often brutally honest in his opinions on football matters, called the club’s decision to take the player on loan “totally absurd”. Boban had previously stated: “Let’s stop talking about him, he’s never achieved anything.”
Milan, along with city rivals Inter, failed to qualify for Europe this term and both clubs face a make-or-break season after several years of underachievement.
