MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 02:45:48| >> :120:71486:71486:

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
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli128221991026
2Atalanta BCAtalanta1281331151625
3Fiorentina1274125101525
4Inter Milan1274126141225
5Lazio1281325141125
6Juventus126602171424
7AC Milan115332014618
8Bologna114611513218
9Udinese125161518-316
10Empoli12363910-115
11Torino124261518-314
12Roma123451417-313
13Parma122641618-212
14Hellas VeronaHellas Verona124081727-1012
15Como122461323-1010
16CagliariCagliari122461222-1010
17Genoa12246922-1310
18Lecce12237521-169
19Monza121561015-58
20VeneziaVenezia122281121-108


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!