Mario Balotelli has hit out at England, claiming the only good things were the Manchester City fans, his team mates and the coach.

The Italian international joined AC Milan in January for a fee of €20 million, plus bonuses and was quick to express his relief at being back in Italy.

“At Inter I won playing and not playing, I came here [to Milan] because I want to win as a leading player,” he told the press.

He was also questioned about Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi calling him a ‘rotten apple’, “In England I didn’t even know about it, I only heard it later and so I have nothing to say,” he replied.

“If I have to be honest English football is beautiful. It’s ahead of Italian calcio. But I had this dream to play for Milan.

“In England they talk about my personal life and exaggerate. Here in Italy you report their reports. I’m focused on calcio.

“I spoke to [Italy coach Cesare] Prandelli and he told me he’s happy I’m back in Italy and I can get back to playing football.

“I have to say thanks to all City fans for always supporting me. I have to thank my teammates and my manager.

“The only good things in England were when I was at Carrington training. Everything else in England was bad things.”

When asked what he didn’t like about England he replied, “The press, the weather, the food, the way I like to drive, are all bad things about England.”

Balotelli also refused to answer a question from a Sun journalist, stating, “Your newspaper always wrote bad things about me, so I don’t want to answer any of your questions.”