Mario Balotelli vows hes staying with Manchester City

Last updated : 24 May 2011 By Daily Mail

The young Italian striker moved to City from Inter Milan last summer and despite making headlines on and off the pitch at Eastlands, he is committed to the English club.

'For the time being, I am happy in England,' Balotelli told Corriere dello Sport.

City slicker: Italian striker Mario Balotelli (right) insists he is staying in Manchester

Balotelli, who is in Italy after helping City win the FA Cup, has never hidden his love for AC Milan but insists that a move to the Rossoneri is out of the question.

'I compliment Milan for winning the scudetto, but with regards to me, I am happy in England,' he said.

Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola is confident his client's long-term future is at City, where he is under contract until June 2015.

'I'm 2000 per cent certain that Balotelli will remain at Manchester City,' Raiola said.

Balotelli's future was in doubt after he snubbed the club's FA Cup parade. Balotelli was named man of the match after City beat Stoke to win their first trophy in 35 years 10 days ago.

Wembley celebrations: Balotelli and Vincent Kompany enjoy Manchester City's FA Cup victory

But despite receiving a letter from City chief executive Garry Cook instructing him that he must attend Monday night's parade and town hall reception, the 20-year-old flew home to Italy on Sunday morning.

Balotelli heaped further embarrassment on City by also skipping the player of the year dinner on Sunday night. In his absence, Micah Richards had to pick up the young player of the year award on his team-mate's behalf.

There were conflicting stories coming from Eastlands as to why Balotelli had performed yet another flit back to his native Italy.

Assistant manager Brian Kidd, for example, claimed it was for 'family reasons' - something that was not confirmed by club officials and was categorically denied by sources close to the player.

Parade: City players were cheered by fans as they displayed the FA Cup through the streets of Manchester

What does appear certain is that Balotelli did have the permission of his manager Roberto Mancini to miss the parade, something that will not have gone down well with Cook - who wrote to all the players himself.

Balotelli finished the Premier League season in good form and has been recalled to the Italy squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Estonia on June 3 and the friendly against the Republic of Ireland four days later.

He was dropped for the victories over Slovenia and Ukraine in March due to a violation of the team's code of conduct.

The Italy international was sent off during a Europa League match for a violent tackle on Dynamo Kiev defender Goran Popov.?

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail