Balotelli: 'I want to be normal'

By Football Italia staff

Mario Balotelli sent out an appeal to media and fans, confessing to an Inter regret. “I want to live like a normal person.”

The 23-year-old wrote an open letter to Verissimo television programme and complained that in Italy he is allowed even less freedom than at Manchester City.

He opened referring to the controversy over his tweet, “This is the end,” which it later emerged was for mixed martial artist Giorgio Petrosyan.

“This is a very chaotic time, especially for me. Many times any gesture I make, even a simple tweet dedicated to a true friend, a fighter and a healthy sportsman like myself, is used to create other meanings that do not interest me.

“It isn’t like that abroad. There must be a reason if Time magazine included me in the 100 most influential people in the world.

“I know that I am a lucky guy, but at times I too want to live like a normal person. Signed, a true Milan fan.”

Balotelli also gave an interview to online magazine BuoneNotizie, where he confessed to his faults.

“I know, I am not very diplomatic. I am instinctive and if I have an idea then I’ll express it without problems, but I do not judge people I don’t know. I’d like others to do the same.

“Judging people is damaging. It’s not so much for me, as I can survive certain things, but the people around me, my teammates and my family, who read things that were either exaggerated or invented.

“I can only say I am sorry, I cannot do more, because I know what is true and what isn’t.

“Going back, I certainly wouldn’t throw the Inter shirt to the ground. Many other things are changing compared to my past... I am trying to improve certain attitudes. But I remain, and will remain, myself.”

SuperMario scored in the 3-0 Champions League victory over Celtic and the 3-1 Serie A win in Catania.

“Only in difficult moments do you see real men. It is our duty to prove ourselves now. We owe it to ourselves, the club and the Rossoneri fans.

“It is a delicate time, but our challenge is to emerge with heads held high and get back to winning ways by always playing up to Milan standards.

“I want to be the team’s leader again. After some mistakes, it is time to score goals, without ever stopping.”

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