Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli had so much talent that he should have been at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Mancini, who managed Balotelli at Manchester City when the club won the Premier League in 2012, claims the Italian striker can only blame himself for not reaching the heights of Ronaldo.

Balotelli has rediscovered some of his early form with Nice this season, scoring 14 goals so far in Ligue 1 and Mancini believes the charismatic striker can still improve.

Mario Balotelli has scored 14 Ligue 1 goals for Nice so far this season and created one assist

'Mario is a really good kid, but a bit ruled by his instinct,' Mancini said on TMW Radio. 'Apart from when he does something daft, but those can happen when you're young.

'He has so much quality that, when he started, he should've been at the level of Ronaldo. If he isn't there now, then at least some of that is his own fault.

'Now he is 26 years old and can do a little more.'

The former City and Liverpool forward, who also joined the radio show, admitted he has fond memories of his time with Mancini when they won the league in 2012 and believes he is returning to form.

Roberto Mancini says Balotelli should have been at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo

'When we won the Premier League title with Manchester City is my happiest memory of Mancini,' Balotelli said. 'Having said that, I have many memories of the coach, both at Inter and Manchester City, mostly of him telling me off!

'I had a few problems over the last two seasons and played really badly. Now I am back on track, let's say.'

Balotelli and his Nice team-mates currently sit third in Ligue 1, three points behind Paris Saint-Germain with just three matches to go.