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Mario Balotelli Responds to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Criticism Regarding his Talent


A response has been fired by Mario Balotelli to comments made by his former team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic regarding his playing career. 

Their clash started when the Swedish star compared his former team-mate Rafael Leao to ex-Manchester City striker Balotelli. 

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic stated: ‘When a kid has the chance to exploit his talent and misses opportunities it’s a shame. 

‘Balotelli had many, and he missed them all. This is the truth. Leao is not like Mario, that shot from the wrong heel is brilliant stuff. 

‘If he scores like that, he’s a genius. And that thing makes you understand why Leao is there and Balotelli instead is in the stands’. 

Ibrahimovic’s comments prompted a quick response from Balotelli on his social media page. 

The 33-year-old forward shared a picture of himself holding the Champions League trophy after Inter Milan’s success in 2009-10, as a direct response to Ibrahimovic. 

He confirmed his response by tagging Ibrahimovic on the post. 

Balotelli also commented on an Instagram post sharing Ibrahimovic’s original comments. 

He wrote: ‘In Manchester you were scared and I wanted to win (on the pitch). The year after We won the Champions League anyway, but Zlatan, I still love you.’

Balotelli made reference to the Nerazzurri’s defeat to Manchester United during the 2008-09 season, where both Italians and Swede shared the frontline for Inter. 

Ibrahimovic left Inter Milan the following summer, joining Barcelona in a £40 million move, missing out on Inter’s 2009 Champions League success. 

Remaining at Inter for one more year than Ibrahimovic, Balotelli later moved to Manchester with a £23 million transfer to Manchester City. 

In addition to his Champions League success at Inter, Balotelli clinched three Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one Premier League, and one FA Cup in his playing career.   

At the end of September, Balotelli’s contract with Swiss club Sion was terminated after just one season. He has since joined Adana Demirspor and managed to score two goals in his first two Super Lig games.

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