Striker won’t miss England following his return to Italy.
Mario Balotelli has taken a swipe at life in England after being officially unveiled as an AC Milan player.
Speaking at a press conference following his £19million move from Manchester City to the San Siro, the Italian international admitted he was glad to leave behind almost everything he has experienced in England – other than his team-mates and manager at the Etihad Stadium.
Source: BBC Sport
Asked what he will miss, Balotelli replied: “Good things? Only when I get to Carrington to train, so my team-mates and manager. Bad things? Everything else – press, weather, food, the way you drive.”
Balotelli’s move, which was on and off throughout January, was initiated after he was involved in a training ground bust-up with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini at the start of the transfer window.
It was thought unlikely to happen with Manchester City wanting £31million for the 22-year-old, but an agreement was reached in the final days of the transfer window as Balotelli sealed a move back to the San Siro, where he first made his name with Inter Milan.
It brought an end to a controversial two-and-a-half years in the Premier League, but the Italian forward refused to rule out ever returning to play in England again.
“It is an amazing league and I think it’s the best, together with the crowd and the pitches,” he said. “I don’t know for the future if I could go back or not.”
He added: “To be a player for Milan has always been my dream so I’m very happy. Now I’m at Milan it’s very important above all because I am close to my family and friends. Manchester is not so far, but it’s not close like Milan.”