Balotelli eyeing Man City return
CRISTIANO RONALDO trained alone yesterday ahead of Real Madrid’s clash against Barcelona this weekend, after sustaining a knock to his calf during the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
The Portugal star received rough treatment as he scored the winner in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Brazilians Gremio in the final, but Ronaldo had insisted he would be fit for the visit of Barcelona.
“Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone out on the pitch, both with and without the ball,” Real wrote on their website, two days ahead of tomorrow’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following Real’s return to Spain, the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient had remained in the gym on Tuesday and Wednesday before finally lacing up his boots for an individual training session yesterday.
Spanish sports daily As reported it was simply a “precaution” as Real look to trim the 11-point gap between themselves and leaders Barcelona, who are unbeaten in La Liga this season.
“He will play in the Clasico barring last-minute surprise,” the paper added.
Zinedine Zidane’s Real, who also trail Atletico Madrid and Valencia, are fourth in the table and realistically must win this weekend to remain in the running for the Spanish title. — SuperSport ITALIAN striker Mario BaloBalotelli has revealed he would return to play for former club Manchester City for free.
The 27-year-old has scored 116 goals in 21 games in his second season at Ligue 1 side Nice, but hankers for big trophies again.
“My aim is to return to a big cclub to win something important again,” Balotelli told Thursday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’d like to get back to having a strong squad behind me. I want to play in the ChampionsCham League and win something.”
Balotelli won six trophies with Inter Milan including the Champions LeagueLeag before moving to Manchester City in 2010, followfollowed by two spells at AC Milan either side of an unsuccesunsuccessful stint at Liverpool.
He insisted he has put his wiwilder days behind him and surrounded by his family wwas enjoying football as never before.
“It’s a special season, it should always be like that. I have no pressure, I work well bubut I have been working well since my time at Liverpool but goals always make the difference.
“I was acting as a teenager bbut I’ve hurt nobody,” continued Balotelli of his controversial past. “Anyway people can’t ask a 20-year-old to stay at home.”
Balotelli left Liverpool on a free transfer in August 2016 to join Nice who are sixth in the French league this season.
But a return to an Italian club could be complicated, Balotelli believes.
“It’s hard to say (about AC Milan), there would be too much pressure on me like the last time. I wanted to visit my old teammates a few weeks ago but (club chief executive Marco) Fassone said it was better not to do it.
“Inter are a great club. I got on very well there. I spoke with (sporting director Piero) Ausilio, I let him know that I would come back willingly. But it was only joking.”
But he added that “without a doubt” his best days were spent at Premier League leaders Manchester City, with whom he won the English title in dramatic fashion on the final day of the 2011-12 season.
“I had my best season there and there’s a unique atmosphere at the club, I’d return to play there even without a salary.” — SuperSport