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Mario Balotell returned to training with Liverpool on Saturday – as the Italian declared “I will win the Ballon d’Or one day.”

The £16m misfit, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan, joined the rest of Jurgen Klopp’s squad as they reported for pre-season at Melwood on Saturday morning. Balotelli is likely to be moved on by the Reds this summer, but for now will be given the chance to prove his fitness and attitude.

And speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the 25-year-old showed that two seasons of low-key performances have not diminished his famous confidence.

Asked if there had been too much expectation placed upon him in years gone by, Balotelli said: “In my view there weren’t enough, as I can do so much more than what I said. But it takes time.

“On the scale of 0 to 10, I stopped at five, but I’ll get to 10 eventually. I want to get there. I will win the Ballon d’Or.

“I do realise that I’ve spent two years of my career when I could’ve been getting closer to 10 and instead stayed at five. I know, the Ballon d’Or might seem laughable and I might not have done everything to be the best, but the important thing is I realised it’s not too late.

“I don’t want to reach the end of my career with the regret of not doing everything I can to be the best. Up until two years ago I made do with what I had. I did well, knew I could play, so I was happy. It wasn’t in my mind to improve, as I thought that was enough.

“Over the last two years I started working seriously, yet the results did not arrive. Maybe I am paying the price for the previous 23 years. I am relaxed, though, as I am aware that in the last two years things have changed completely.”

Balotelli made 28 appearances for the Reds during the 2014/15 season, scoring four times.