By Salvatore Landolina
26 May 2011 18:31:00
Roberto Mancini – Manchester City (Getty Images)
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Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has the potential to reach the level of Barcelona‘s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid‘s Cristiano Ronaldo, but has added that to do so will take hard work on and off the pitch.
Things have not always gone perfectly for the 20-year-old striker, who has been selected for the Italy squad as they prepare for the Euro 2012 qualifier with Estonia on June 3 and the friendly against the Republic of Ireland four days later.
“Technically he has everything, but this is not enough to be the best in the world. Messi, Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta work hard every day so they can always be the best. He Balotelli can reach those levels,” Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.
The striker was signed by City in the summer, when he left European champions Inter, and Mancini is happy with his progress so far.
He continued: “He has a great talent and he has improved a lot since the start of the season. It’s important he has returned to the national side.
“Next season he will have to be dedicated 100 per cent.”
Mancini added that Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko are likely to remain at the club, despite his intention to sign more players.
“There are many champions at the centre of transfer market negotiations. Who will remain in terms of Dzeko and Tevez? Both of them. We are a great team and we are becoming a great club,” he added.
“We are looking to get the champion players. It’s not easy, but these players Tevez and Dzeko will remain.”