Balotelli returns from injury, appearantly enjoying life in Nice
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E-mail Xinhua, December 8, 2016
Mario Balotelli has been selected into Nice's 18-man squad for their last Europa League match hosting Russian side Krasnodar on Thursday after three-week injury absence.
The Italian superstar striker, who returned to full training on Tuesday, had missed the French League leaders' last four competitive fixtures with a calf problem sustained in November.
"It's good," said Balotelli when asked about his recovery from injury during an exclusive interview with several Chinese media. "I'm fit. If the manager wants me to play, I'll play."
The 26-year-old Super Mario thus declared that he could feature in Nice's top-of-the-table Ligue 1 encounter against champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
"I feel good," he added. "It depends on the coach, of course."
Despite Balotelli's absence, Lucien Favre's team, who's been leading the French top flight for 11 straight rounds, has picked up seven points from three games to maintain a three-point lead over second-placed Monaco.
PSG, the four-time defending champions, are a place and point further back, and will be desperate to get back to winning ways after two successive games without victory.
Balotelli said he's highly motivated for Sunday's game, regardless of who the opposition is.
"Paris Saint-Germain, Toulouse, Lyon, it's not the name that counts for me," said Balotelli. "We have to have the same approach every weekened. I don't think in terms of a big match or a small match. I want to win every time."
A surprise summer capture from Liverpool, Balotelli, who's deemed a troubled figure at Anfield, has scored six times in as many league games for Nice.
"I scored because I played," he said. "Last season I didn't play a lot, so I couldn't really score. And I was injured, I've been out for a long time. So when I was feeling good, I played and I kept scoring."
"I had just some injury in the past which wasn't a big deal," he added. "The problem was they keep coming. So when I feel good, I score."
He's reported to have moved here on a free transfer as the England Premier side was trying to avoid paying off his contract.
Signed by then-Liverpool manager Brenan Rodgers for 25 million euros in 2014, Balotelli managed only four goals in 28 appearances for the Premier League side and was loaned back to AC Milan last season.
"I just want to try a new league," said Balotelli when explaining his reason to join Nice. "I never played in France. I decided to come here because the team is a very good team. They play good football.
"When I saw them play, we started to be interested to come because I think it's a future team. The way they play is amazing.
"And also for the weather. Yes," joked Balotelli, who's appearantly enjoying his time with Les Aiglons.
He's also having good relationships with the coaches and teammates in Nice, saying Favre could beome one of his favorites.
"Favre has very good charactor. He knows how to deal with young players. I like him a lot," he said. "I have to say (Roberto) Mancini is special for me because he's the first one I met. but I think Favre can be one of the best managers."
"He works a lot about tactic, improving my movement and running," he added. "I think I'm gonna be a better player in front of the goal. I hope I can score a lot of goals with him."
Regarding his plan for next year, Balotelli said: "I'm looking to win the league here. Then when the year is finish, I'll see."
Asked who's in his mind the best player in the world, Balotelli tipped Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
"Ronaldo and Messi are in this moment the best and nobody's like them. Impossible," he emphasized.
"But if I had a good year, without injured and focus, I think it's not impossible (for me) to win the golden ball.
"Even one day I won the golden ball, I think Ronaldo and Messi are the best because they won like four or five times. "
The former Inter Milan player ruled out a possible option for him to return to the troubled Serie A side, alongside with his last club Liverpool.
"I've always been a Milan fan, even after I played for Inter," he said. "Never say never, but Inter is very complicated. If I have to go back to Italy, I will think Milan.
"(If go back to england) For sure not Liverpool," he added. "Because I find myself very bad in Liverpool. I said the team was good and the fans're amazing, but I would never go back to liverpool.
"The first one I think in England is Manchester City, and the second team I always like is Arsenal.
"That doesn't mean I'll go to play there," he said. "I just like them." Endit
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