MX23RW : Friday, November 8 19:35:48| >> :60:475:475:

Ignazio Abate: Mario Balotelli needs to "grow up"

AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate calls on teammate Mario Balotelli to "grow up".

AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate has said that it is time for Mario Balotelli to "grow up" and realise his potential to become one of the world's best players.

The Italian striker has earned a reputation for eccentric behaivour during his time with Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan, but his teammate warns that
Balotelli must now learn to curb his headline-making antics.

Abate feels that the 23-year-old is one of the top five players on the planet who can unlock his potential if he changes his attitude.

"[Balotelli] must understand that he is no longer a kid and that certain behaviours are not going to go over well. He needs to grow up as quickly as possible," Abate told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The fact is that he has incredible potential, of which even he realises. To me, after Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he's next.

"We are fortunate enough to work for a club like Milan and in a place like (Milan's training ground) Milanello."

Milan are currently eighth in Serie A.

ID:113624: cacheID:113624:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2292:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Alexis Sanchez of FC Barcelona celebrates with his team-mates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid CF at Camp Nou on October 5, 2013
Read Next:
Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli118121881025
2Inter Milan1173125131224
3Atalanta BCAtalanta1171329141522
4Fiorentina116412291322
5Lazio1171324141022
6Juventus115601971221
7AC Milan105231711617
8Udinese115151416-216
9Bologna103611211115
10Torino114251516-114
11Empoli1135389-114
12Roma113441214-213
13Hellas VeronaHellas Verona114071624-812
14Como122461323-1010
15Genoa12246922-1310
16CagliariCagliari11236919-109
17Parma111641417-39
18Monza111551014-48
19VeneziaVenezia112271019-98
20Lecce11227420-168


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!