Inter bad-boy Mauro Icardi has tried to dismiss his negative image and shrugged off comparisons with AC Milan's Mario Balotelli, according to​ FourFourTwo.





The striker has rejected all comparisons with Balotelli, insisting people have a misguided view of him due to media reports about his personal life.









The 22-year-old, who was made Inter captain by Roberto Mancini this season, has been the centre of controversy with his off-the-field behaviour painting him in a bad light.





His relationship with Wanda Nara, the ex wife of former Sampdoria team mate Maxi Lopez, was front and back page news causing furore in Italy.





Balotelli has also been heavily criticised for his antics all throughout his career, with Milan CEO Adriano Galliani stating the player was on his "last chance" when he returned to the San Siro this summer.









Icardi, however, has gone out of his way to insist there are no similarities between the pair, telling GQ magazine;





"In this talk about 'Icardi the bad boy', which people turn into Icardi and Balotelli, I simply don't recognise myself."





"I never hung out with him, I don't know him at all. Zero. And I don't think there are any similarities."









"The fact is that I live in a very normal way, in spite of what people think."





"I know I'm a public figure and I behave accordingly, but I'm not interested in gossip. That's part of other people's lives, not mine."





"I have few friends, because in football everybody goes their own way. You never have the time to create a bond, you always move on too quickly."









Icardi has scored twice so far this season for Inter in Serie A, while Balotelli has yet to find net in the league after joining Liverpool on loan.





Milan are at home to Napoli in the league on Sunday, while Inter travel to Sampdoria earlier in the day.