Balotelli: “Mou is the best!”
Inter Milan starlet Mario Balotelli is enjoying working for new coach Jose Mourinho.
“He’s different from all other coaches, he cares very much about personal relationships with players, this is very beautiful. You can approach him and talk about anything, not necessarily football,” said the teenage striker.
Balotelli also revealed how he’s learning from senior strikers Julio Cruz and Hernan Crespo.
“Julio Cruz pulled me aside last season and told me to study both his and Crespo’s movement,” said Balotelli. “It’s a weakness of my game and even today I watch and learn from them.” (tf)
Balotelli ready to shine!
Mario Balotelli spoke on Inter Channel after reporting for pre-season training.
“I’m less excited than a year ago because it was the first time then. I just have to focus on improving and never being satisfied,” admitted Mario, who signed a new contract last month.
“Mourinho said I have to improve every day? This was already one of my objectives, I’m pleased it’s the same for him. He’s definitely a good coach. He has spoken with us and I can say that he has strong ideas and clear objectives.
“Do I want to score at least 15 goals? Yes, it would be a good target, but we’ll see what I manage to do on the pitch. My role? I can even play at full-back - the most important thing for me is to play.” (ofciws)
Mario Balotelli extends his contract!
Mario Barwuah Balotelli (Super Mario) has today extended his contract until 2011.
He will now earn £1m per season.
The striker blasted his way to recognition in the peninsula with a Coppa Italia quarter-final double against Juventus.
Balotelli had been on a youth salary, earning just £60,000 per year.
There had been rumours that Chelsea were considering a swoop, but it now seems that Balotelli’s future lies in Inter!
Balotelli remain Inter’s
Inter’s teen sensation Mario Balotelli is ready to sign a contract extension with the Beneamata and has set some ambitious targets.
At the age of 17, Balotelli stole the headlines with a crucial brace in last term’s Coppa Italia quarter-final triumph over Juventus.
And the gifted youngster played an increasingly important role in Roberto Mancini’s attack, often beating David Suazo and Hernan Crespo to a starting shirt.
Despite insisting that he could leave and showing little attachment to the Nerazzurri shirt while negotiating his first full senior contract, Balotelli does now seem ready to commit to the Italian champions.
“There is an agreement for a contract renewal,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.
“I want to thank Mancini for giving me the chance to play, but Jose Mourinho is a great Coach and he won’t take age into consideration.
“My main objective is the Champions League and I also can’t wait to represent Italy.
“I have suffered a great injustice in that I was born in Italy and have always lived here, but I have to wait until I am 18 to get a passport.”
The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Balotelli was born in Palermo before being entrusted to Italian parents by the courts.
In spite of living in the peninsula all his life, Super Mario has missed out on playing for the Azzurri at the Olympic Games as he doesn’t turn 18 until August 12 and can’t obtain the necessary citizenship documents. (C4)
After many rumors of last days, seem in the end surpassed every obstacle about the contract renewal of Mario Balotelli with Inter. TMW has so thought to ask to his agent Corrado Balotelli, some information. “The agreement with Inter has been reached, there isn’t the sign still, but will arrive in few days. Lack still some little details. Is not true that my brother will be sent on loan, at least would be sold in case not found an agreement for continue together, but fortunately the agreement has been reached”.
About Mourinho: Mario has still not know Mourinho, the first meeting will arrive in Brunico, when will start the retreat”. (tmw)
Mario earns new contract?
Inter are edging closer to agreeing a contract extension with teen striking star Mario Balotelli.
At the tender age of 17, Palermo native Balotelli exploded into the nation’s consciousness with two decisive goals against Juventus in the quarter-finals of last term’s Coppa Italia.
Roberto Mancini opted to field the powerful hitman in place of David Suazo and Hernan Crespo at the end of last season and he seems to be on the road to superstardom.
However, Balotelli has repeatedly stressed that he feels no special attachment to Inter and has been targeted by a number of top sides, including Chelsea.
But the Nerazzurri have stepped up their efforts to tie Super Mario to San Siro and are reportedly willing to offer him a lucrative deal that expires in 2013.
As a youth player, Balotelli currently earns just £50,000 per year, but his new terms may see him net £1.1m with an annual increase.
By 2013, Balotelli would be earning around £2.5m per season should he opt to remain a Nerazzurro. (C4)