Balotelli keen to repay Mancini

Manchester City star Mario Balotelli says he is determined to succeed at the club to repay the faith shown in him by Roberto Mancini.

The controversial striker told Telefoot that he is keen to move on from the off-field problems that have plagued his time in Manchester, and wants to reward his boss by proving his critics wrong.

“(Mancini) spent a lot to get me, he had great confidence in me, so I feel more responsibility towards him, so I can’t let myself do stupid things,” Balotelli said.

“Every time I play well, I’m pleased for myself, but I’m also pleased for him too. People say: ‘Look, he bought Mario, what a cock-up, but now he’s strong, he’s strong.’ Perhaps in football, I’m getting better technically. I used to be a complete disaster.”

Balotelli said that despite his reputation as a joker, he is a professional and prepares himself thoroughly for matches.

“You know you can’t replay the big games – so you must give everything in these games,” he said.

“All that you have learnt, all that God has given you, all that you have inside of you, you must use it all in these games.”

“You work, you earn money, you enjoy this game, all with the express aim of hitting these highs. If you don’t give everything you’ve just wasted your time.”

Balotelli joked that he still fancies his chances of claiming the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the footballer of the year, despite the brilliant form of Barca ace Lionel Messi.

“Yes, I think I can win it but Lionel Messi needs to drop a level or it will never happen,” he said.