Mario Balotelli insists- Im not crazy

Last updated : 09 November 2011 By Daily Mail

The Manchester City striker recently had to evacuate his house after fireworks were let off in his bathroom. That very same weekend after scoring twice in City's win at Old Trafford he revealed a t-shirt with the cryptic slogan: 'why always me?'

Balotelli has also been questioned by Naples prosecutors over a visit with the Camorra crime syndicate, allegedly saying he saw bags of cocaine piled on a table.

Looks painful: Mario Balotelli and Thiago Motta at Italy's training camp

Speaking at Italy's training camp on Wednesday, the 21-year-old forward was also asked about constantly ending up pictured on the gossip pages with an array of women.

'When you are famous, there's a tendency to talk more about my personal life than what I do on the pitch,' Balotelli said. 'It's normal but it annoys me.

'But I am not crazy, absolutely not, although sometimes I do strange things that are considered entertaining.'

Game for a laugh: Balotelli (centre) forces a smile out of his Italy team-mates

Putting in the hard yards: (left-right) Thiago Motta, Balotelli, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Giampolo Pazzini and Simone Pepe run at Coverciano, near Florence

With Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi both out long-term because of injury, Italy are counting on Balotelli to lead the attack in friendlies at Poland on Friday and at home against Uruguay four days later.

Balotelli has scored five goals for Barclays Premier League leaders City this season but is still yet to find the target in five appearances with Italy.

'I need to wake up and get going,' he said. 'For me scoring is the biggest thing. Victories are important but so are goals.

'I know I can arrive to the top. If I'm good up front it's not because I'm fortunate.

'I do believe I can get closer to the level of other champions but I still have a lot of work to do.'

Time to shine: Italy boss Cesare Prandelli is set to select Balotelli up front

He added: 'I always have pressure but I don't feel it,' he said. 'The coach expects a lot from me even with Rossi and Cassano in the team.

'We are all strong and in the future, we can enter the history books together.

'But I'm ready to assume the responsibility, I've always been ready.

'Perhaps there are people that think otherwise.'

The son of Ghanian immigrants, Balotelli often faced racial taunts when he played for Inter Milan despite being born and raised in Italy.

In form: Balotelli has helped fire City to the top of the Barclays Premier League

'Racism is ignorance. I can only hope that certain things don't happen again,' Balotelli said, adding that he has no regrets about leaving Serie A.

'I don't miss Serie A,' he said. 'I'm very happy to be in England. Italian football has been in decline.

'The Premier League is beautiful and I play for the strongest team in England.

'I want to remain at City. I don't see a return to play in Italy in the future.'

Balotelli feels he has improved as a player since joining Manchester City from Inter Milan in August 2010.

'The Premier League has taught me to run a lot,' he said. 'To go for the ball and when I lose it to press to recover it.

'Now I have more playing time and this gives me more confidence.

'Prandelli and (Manchester City manager Roberto) Mancini have helped me a lot, giving me the necessary calmness to play, something I didn't have previously.'

?Tevez to be fined after going AWOL in Argentina in latest snub to Mancini Nasri sidelined for France after succumbing to knee injury picked up playing for ArsenalGraham Chadwick: My favourite image of the week... Roberto ManciniAll the latest Manchester City FC news, features and opinion

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail