Balotelli Talks Mourinho, Saudi Arabia and Jokes About Milan Return

Adana Demirspor striker Mario Balotelli has joked about a potential return back to Italy with Milan, all the while taking stock of his relationship with Roma coach José Mourinho. A move to Saudi Arabia is also on the former Manchester City forward’s radar.

Speaking to TVPlay (via Calciomercato), Balotelli refuted any talk of reuniting with boyhood club Inter and instead playfully offered himself to the Rossoneri.

“Being the fourth striker after Marko Arnautovic’s injury? The eighth maybe! I’m fine at Adana,” before going on to add: “Do Milan need a younger player? Here I am. Milan’s problem is that their young newcomers have to deal with San Siro, which is not like any other stadium. You need players with personality. I like Pioli, but if Rafael Leao isn’t well, Milan will do very little. If Leao has a bad day, it’s difficult for Milan to win.”

Balotelli played under Mourinho for two seasons, most notably winning the treble under the Special One in 2009/10.

“Mourinho has never been a coach with a great style. He is more charismatic, he gives you grit and ferocity. He has his own ideas about the game, but he doesn’t focus too much on tactics. Mourinho has a good character; he made me die of laughter. There were also clashes, but he motivated you. He brought out the best and the worst in you.”

“That Inter where I played was a squad of 25 phenomenal players. He won the Conference League at Roma, and he is a coach who always wins. And it is something you have to have inside. You cannot always attack Mourinho: he is unassailable. Roberto Mancini also had the squad, however, didn’t win like Mou.”

Arab money has attracted players a great deal, and Balotelli could soon move to Saudi Arabia if an apt offer arrives.

“Saudi Arabia? If the project works, I too will go in a few years.”

Balotelli has 59 goals in 167 Serie A appearances.