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City striker keen to meet Brazilian legend
By Chris Burton Last updated: 24th March 2011

Balotelli: Looking to change his ways
If you introduce me to Ronaldo, I swear I’ll behave until I give up playing football.
Mario Balotelli
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Fiery Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli claims Brazilian legend Ronaldo is the man to help him change his ways.
The Italian arrived in England last summer with a reputation for the unexpected, and has further enhanced that image during his time at Eastlands.
An ill-advised red card for City in their Europa League encounter with Dynamo Kiev last week saw him hit the headlines again, and cost him a place in the Italy squad.
Balotelli accepts that there are areas of his personality that he needs to work on, with it important that he learns how to control his demons.
He claims a meeting with his idol Ronaldo would bring about said changes, with the former World Player of the Year the man he admires above all others.
“If you introduce me to Ronaldo, I swear I’ll behave until I give up playing football,” claimed Balotelli.
“I have never met him, but when you see the idol of a lifetime it can change you. It can change your way of being.
Greatest
“I don’t know how I can explain it. There are many great players, but Ronaldo was the greatest and so one word from him is worth more than a thousand of all the others.”
He added: “In any case, I already behave myself fairly well, but I’ll try to stop doing those stupid little things. These things happen.”
Balotelli has also attempted to play down speculation regarding his future, with reports continuing to suggest that he could return to his homeland over the summer – with AC Milan and Napoli said to be keen.
The 20-year-old insists there is little chance of a move happening, with a long-term deal having been agreed upon his arrival in England.
“I have a five-year contract at Manchester – where am I going?” he said.
“I’d buy a house in Naples to go there on holiday, but not to play right now.”
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