Audio By Carbonatix
Inter Milan's teenage star Mario Balotelli pinned his colours firmly to Italy on Thursday by insisting that he does not want to play for the land of his forefathers.
Balotelli was born in Palermo to Ghanaian immigrants, whose surname is Barwuah, but when he was three years old he was entrusted to an Italian family, called Balotelli.
Due to Italian law he could not request Italian citizenship until he turned 18, last month, as he was never formally adopted and now he is part of the Italy under-21 squad.
"I'm Italian, I feel Italian, I will always play for Italy," he said.
"I've never considered playing for Ghana, even two years ago when they called me up."
He signed for Inter in 2006 and made his first team breakthrough last season, at just 17 years of age.
Ghana had tried to call him up for their national team but Balotelli turned them down several times to pursue his dream of playing for Italy.
Source: AFP
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
‘Okada’ union leaders undergo training ahead of 2026 legalisation processes
3 hours -
Creative Canvas 2025: Moliy and the power of a global digital moment
3 hours -
Ibrahim Mahama supports disability groups with Christmas donation
4 hours -
Techiman hosts historic launch of GJA Bono East Chapter: Regional pact for balanced journalism
4 hours -
Kasoa: Boy, 6, drowns in open water tank while retrieving football
4 hours -
Five-year-old boy dies after getting caught in ski travelator
6 hours -
‘This is an abuse of trust’- PUWU-TUC slams gov’t over ECG privatisation plans
6 hours -
Children should be protected from home fires – GNFSÂ
6 hours -
Volta Regional Minister urges unity, respect for Chief Imam’s ruling after Ho central mosque shooting
6 hours -
$214M in gold-for-reserves programme not a loss, Parliament’s economy chair insists it’s a transactional cost
7 hours -
Elegant homes estate unveils ultra-modern sports complex in Katamanso
7 hours -
ECG can be salvaged without private investors -TUC Deputy Secretary-General
7 hours -
Two pilots killed after mid-air helicopter collision in New Jersey
7 hours -
2025 in Review: Fire, power and the weight of return (January – March)
8 hours -
Washington DC NPP chairman signals bid for USA chairmanship
8 hours
