interpersempre.com

MARIO, THE ITALIAN PRINCE

I love this national team and will marry Raffaella.

The City striker says all: "I don't deserve the exclusion but I accept the code of ethics.  I sent a text to Prandelli."

"Mancini recommended marriage? I will please him.  In Europe, I'm rooting for Ibra and Milan."

BALOTELLI IN LOVE

"I sent an text to Prandelli asking him to tell me if something is wrong about me."

Milan - There is a Balotelli that easily accessible and highly visible: one that collects fines and suspensions, playing with arrows and fireworks.  He did it just enough so that a tabloid was able to send these news across the internet.  And then there's Mario, a 21 year-old kid, whose heart is on fire for the Italian national team and for Raffaella, a youngster who works abroad and expects to score the first goal in England in front of his father.  And after a few months of silence, he tells how he has tried to regain the confidence of Prandelli, by using a phone, and why he is rooting for Ibrahimovic in the Champions League.

Balotelli, did you stomp on Scott Parker of Tottenham on January 22 on purpose?

"No. It seems so in slow motion but it was not on purpose.  I didn't even touch him perhaps.  No one protested.  I have never kicked people on the ground."

But Manchester City did not appeal.

"Had we appealed, I would have played the next game and then gotten a five game suspension, not four.  For this reason, there was no appeal.  Not because Mancini did not believe me."

Prandelli, after that decision to not appeal by City, has decided to use the code of ethics.

"I often say in the dressing room: Barcelona? Real? For me, there is no glamorous shirt than the one of the Italian national team, for the feeling that I try to represent Italy.  I often think about the European Cup in the summer.  I'm sorry that we lost a friendly match in Genoa.  There are codes of ethics and I accept although I don't think I deserved it."

Prandelli is expecting a call for explanations.

"I had done nothing wrong.  I had no justifications.  But when I realized that I needed to make the first step to dissolve the misunderstanding, I did.  I sent him a text message.  I could not talk for two days, I was always busy.  In the message, I explained the situation, and I asked him to openly tell me if he thinks that something is wrong with me.  I assured him that I am calm and training well.  Then I thanked him again because he has always had confidence me in.  Apologize? No I did not apologize."

Have you heard from any Azzurri teammates?
"Many.  De Rossi and Cassano gave me encouragement.  I have also heard from Pirlo, Pazzini and some others."

Worried after losing to the US?
"No and you'll understand why at the end of the European Championship."

Italy score very little.  Prandelli thinks of a Balotelli-Rossi duo or Balotelli-Di Natale if Pepito couldn't recover in time.

"Just watch City: I always form a duo with Dzeko, Aguero, Silva and they are all very different.  I'm fine with everybody."

Who do you like among the younger players in the group?
"Borini, whom I had played together with the Under team.  Very good."

So far a good season in England: 14 goals in 24 matches.

"I hit the post a couple of times..."

Now Mancini and Prandelli are expecting the finale of this season with great continuity, reliability and lots of goals.

"But they already know: the intensity and commitment that I am taking this year are not comparable to a year ago.  I grew up.  I know understand certain things."

The other thing that Mancini asked you: to get married.  It's too soon no?  At 21 years old?

"For me it is not early.  When you find the right person, perhaps it is time.  Raffaella is the best thing that ever happened to me.  She gives me peace of mind, very understanding.  I do not want to betray and lose her.  She understands me."

Have you discussed marriage?
"A few times.  But that does not mean that we're getting married tomorrow...  As soon as commitment allows, we would do it here in Manchester.  I'm well here.  I would go with her to play anywhere."

How did Raffaella take it when she found out you went to a strip club?

"Well, if she had done the same with her friends I'd get very angry.  I didn't do anything wrong at the club, but if you really love a woman you shouldn't do this kind of thing.  That was the first mistake. The second was going two days before a match."

In fact, City have asked for 120000 pounds in fines.

"I didn't know that.  I have to talk to Mancini."

Milan and Napoli are favorites over Arsenal and Chelsea in the Champions League: we are better than the English?
"No, in England the football is more beautiful because so many champions have left Italy.  But Napoli and Milan did play a great game, have true champions and deserve to be where they are."

Manchester United, the most experience club, is not giving up.  Are you scared?
"We are a great group, with quality.  If we stay together until the end, then United would be left behind and not be very scary."

Suarez refused a handshake after he insulted Evra?

"Yes, because you always shake a man's hand so it is ashamed."

After two years can you say that the atmosphere in English stadiums is better than ours?

"Yes because I still see so many grandparents and children behind the goals.  And because I have never been booed in an English stadium."

In England, is there a strong player like Ibrahimovic?
"No, there is not."

For Allegri, he is the number one in the world with Messi and Ronaldo.

"For me too.  Only when I talk to Ibra I would say: I'm stronger than you."

Let's say that you win the Premier League and have a great Euro: absurd to dream about the Golden Ball?
"I know that I have the potential to get there one day but now I only think of working hard.  I would think of Ibra when it comes to winning a Golden Ball."

Who are you a fan of in the Champions League?
"Milan, just because I like to see Ibra raising that cup.  He still doesn't have it but deserves it."

Who wins the Scudetto?
"Milan are favorite.  I saw them against Juve and they deserved to win.  In fact, counting that ball then it would have been 2-1."

Are you surprised by the collapse of Inter?
"No, because so many important champions have left the club."

Gasperini revealed that in the summer Moratti thought of bringing you back to Inter but in agreement with Moratti was only Gasp.

"You mean that the team did not want me? I do not believe it.  Some perhaps, but not many.  If it were true then I'd be surprised."

Villas Boas to Pinetina?

"We met at Inter and we saw each other again here.  For me, he is a very good coach.  Maybe he's the right man to revive this Inter."

Your dad is coming to see you play.

"My father, Franco, has always told me that he would come to see me play in England when I have my head straight.  He told me that that time has come.  So I'm waiting for that day and I have to score at all costs because then I'm going to tell him: 'Dad, this is for you.'"

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport