Balotelli chooses Azzurri over Ghana: Inter Milan sensation Mario Balotelli, has turned down the chance to represent Ghana as he wants to play for the Italian national team in the future
The 17-year-old burst onto the scene a few weeks ago when he scored twice in Turin as Inter defeated Juventus in the Coppa Italia. |
Due to his background, the Ghana football federation has attempted to call-up Balotelli to represent them, however Balotelli has decided that he wants to play for Italy.
“The Black Stars asked Mario to accept a call-up to the national side, where he would have been a first-choice, but he declined,” Balotelli’s brother and agent Corrado revealed in the Guerin Sportivo.“He just didn’t want to lose the chance to play for Italy in the future.”
Such is Balotelli’s potential that Inter are keen to tie the teenager down to a new, long-term deal at San Siro. “For now there is nothing on the table,” Corrado explained.
“I have heard that we will be signing a renewal until 2013, but we think we will talk about it further when Mario is legally an adult and can get his Italian citizenship.”
Balotelli will receive such privileges when he turns 18-years-old on August 12. |