Balotelli: I´m lonely, but have adapted

Mario Balotelli believes he has adapted well to the English Premier League, but says he has ‘no real friends’ at Manchester City.

The former Inter Milan striker arrived at Eastlands in August 2010 and, after a difficult start to his career in England, he has begun to justify his reputation as one of the most exciting young attacking players in world football.

But Balotelli said while he is happy with his progress on the field, he has battled loneliness off it.

“I am 21 and already I have lived away from home for nearly two years,” he told L’Uomo Vogue. “I have adapted quite well – in spite of the huge (cultural) differences.”

“But I have no real friends here. If I had to move, right at this minute, I would choose Italy.”

Balotelli – scorer of nine goals in all competitions for City this campaign – said the intrusive and sensationalist nature of the British tabloid press had not helped him settle in Manchester.

“If I buy a Fiat Uno, I read that for a guy like me it would have been more suitable to buy a Ferrari,” he said. “If I choose the Ferrari, they write that I should keep my feet on the ground and buy an Uno.”

“If I laugh, I’m not serious enough; I don’t laugh, I’m a sulk who doesn’t enjoy doing the best job in the world.”

“Here in England, the tabloid press writes about everything – and always exaggerates.”