Manchester City's Mario Balotelli eager to shine
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has revealed that he is eager to show his ability with both club and country.
The Italian has only played once for the English Premier League side since making the summer switch from Serie A giants Inter Milan, when he came on as a substitute and scored the only goal in a UEFA Europa
League qualifying win over Romanian side Timisoara. However, he sustained an injury to the lateral meniscus in his right knee in that same game.
Despite an initial prognosis indicating that he would be back in action by October, he has had to have surgery on the joint and he will now be on the sidelines until the end of November at the least.
However, when the 20-year-old makes his return, he is hoping to make an impact in a big way. He told newspaper
Corriere dello Sport in his homeland that he is hoping to excel for both City and Italy — with whom he has also only made one appearance.
"I will do everything possible to be ready and to recover as soon as I can. For me the national team is one of the most important things, it has always been. I want to be a protagonist in Euro 2012 and
then at World Cup 2014 in Brazil. First though I must do well with City as this is an adventure that I am counting on," said Balotelli.
He was given his chance on the international stage by national team coach Cesare Prandelli. He appreciated the opportunity said as much.
“It's nice to know that Prandelli relies on me.”
Balotelli came through the ranks at Inter and, despite well-documented problems with his attitude, helped the club to an historic treble of the Italian league and cup as well as the UEFA Champions League
last season.
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