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The agent of Mario Balotelli believes that the Italian would win the Ballon d'Or if he was smarter.

Liverpool misfit Balotelli has failed to impress on his latest loan stint at AC Milan and his once-promising career has come to a juddering halt.

But the striker, who showed signs of brilliance during his spell at Manchester City , could have been the real deal, Mino Raiola claims.

Raiola says that if Balotelli had a level mind like Paris Saint-Germain front man Zlatan Ibrahimovic , he could have been destined for greatness.

Speaking to GQ Magazine, he said: "Balotelli? If he had the head of Ibrahimovic, Messi would have less Ballon d'Ors."

(Image: Reuters)

Liverpool loaned Balotelli back to AC Milan, the club from whom they bought him for £16million, after only netting in one Premier League match for the Merseyside club.

And his form has been replicated in Italy - only scoring once in Serie A.

Liverpool are desperate to offload the controversial 25-year-old and Balotelli is believed to be keen on staying at the San Siro.

In pictures - Mario Balotelli shopping in Milan:

Coincidentally, Ibrahimovic could be joining Balotelli at Milan on the near future.

The Swede's contract at PSG is up in the summer and he could be returning to his former club on a free transfer.

Raiola said: "Ibrahimovic could return to Italy, to Milan."

(Image: Getty Images)

Elsewhere on the transfer front, Raiola has rejected claims that Paul Pogba will sign for Chelsea.

He added: "Pogba to Chelsea? Not now."