'Mario Can Be Like Messi & Ron'
29 November 2012
Roberto Mancini has called on Mario Balotelli to prove he is as good as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The Italian striker started for Manchester City ahead of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko against Wigan last night, and bundled home the champions’ opener in their 2-0 win.
But even though he scored, Mancini was not especially impressed.
He thinks his fiery compatriot can play better, and has challenged Balotelli to improve.
"I think Mario can do better," Mancini said.
"He scored one important goal but can continue to improve. For me, he did not play very well."
"As a player, he could be like Cristiano and Messi if he understands that, to be like this, you should work hard, your mind should be always on your job and not on the other things that are not important,” Mancini added.
Balotelli has been linked to a move back to the Italian Serie A in January, as he grows frustrated by the lack of regular game time at the Etihad.
But Mancini insists that Super Mario remains an important part of the City set-up, and that he will not be sold any time soon.
"No, no, we are not looking to sell Mario," Mancini said. "I am very happy for him because he scored his first goal this year and I hope he can improve on this.
"His goal was important because it changed the game for us. After that, everything changed.
"Mario is one of the four top strikers here and it is clear they have had some difficulty to score lots of goals like last year.”
comments
The italian job
Submitted by: Faysal
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 09:06:55
Messi is married to the football
Submitted by: Msimango1
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 08:10:01
I'm not even gonna enter this Messi Ronaldo argument, Ronaldo is my favorate... My best player of all time is Zidane, ends there
Submitted by: Phenyoza
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 07:32:37
This mancini guy is drunk. How can he insult da best two players in the world like that? Even sergio aguero is better than cowlotelli
Submitted by: Tshepo25
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 07:28:15
All he needs is focus and stop all his antics then he will get to Ronaldo 30 percent. He plays a lot he is not serious. El Shawarey can compete with Ronaldo not Messi
Submitted by: Fofana
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 07:09:45
i agree wit mancini baloteli is a rare talent his got wat it takes to conqure globaly only if he can focus on the job @ hand nd leave the rest wher dey belong.
Submitted by: jnzinzane
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 06:26:08
So @ Geenaro u telling me that tevez, higuain, di maria, aguero were not committed? Lol hahahaha what a nice way to cover up for Messi. @ Zaragoza I don't if I should give u a breath mint or something cause I can see clearly that u cannot understand my Vocabulary. If U don't like my Comments about the little 1: kill yourself! I Don't Care!
Submitted by: Magana8330
Date: 30 November 2012, Time: 00:39:12
Messi is de Lord of futball rulling this generation,de future n de past...best of all tym u cn bring in Pele,Maradona,ronaldinho,O fenomeno,zidane none of them eva reached messi's level,with all due respect they will hv to b combined to form 1 playa dat will challenge Lord Messi
Submitted by: Belly_Mcowthy
Date: 29 November 2012, Time: 20:11:33
Super Mario, all in one. A good striker cum comedian. You gotta love this guy.
Submitted by: Samanyika
Date: 29 November 2012, Time: 19:45:39
Were does ths fcuken thing magana cums frm,even if u commit a suicide n cum back after three years the LORD wil stil b on top of his game or wat he lives behind tht cowlotello of urs n hs frnd penaldo wil nt beat it... MESSI currently is unbeatable u don't hv to agree ,don't do any1 a favour or go n cry in ur room it wil ease ur stress kwaaaaakwaaaakwa
Submitted by: zaragoza
Date: 29 November 2012, Time: 18:06:10