Balotelli vows hardwork on Milan return

Mario Balotelli on Tuesday vowed to work hard on his return to AC Milan from Liverpool to recover the form that once made him one of the most feared strikers in world football.
Promising fans that he had always had Milan in his heart, Super Mario said he would grab what could be his last chance to return to the Italy fold ahead of next year’s European championships.
“I’m happy to have returned, I don’t have a lot to say, sincerely. Now I’m just waiting to start training,” said the 25-year-old former Inter Milan and Manchester City striker, who is bidding to regain his place in the Italy line-up.
The big forward later had his first session with the Milan squad.
Balotelli, who has been known for flamboyant behaviour and angry reactions to fans’ racist slurs, hardly reacted when a passerby shouted at him: “Have you got your head screwed on? Clown!”.
The Italo-Ghanaian centre-foward said he had always been thinking of Milan ever since he left for what turned out to be a very disappointing season with Liverpool a year ago.
“Yes, I’ve always had Milan in my heart. I hoped to come back,” he said.
“I’m in fairly good shape physically, I just have to get in some training with the team,” went on Balotelli, who will be aiming to lead the line as Italy bids to qualify for next year’s European championships.
Asked whether he was coming home, he replied with a smile: “I live in Brescia,” just north of Milan.
Asked if he would end his career at Milan, he said: “I have to start to work and do well, then we’ll think about the rest”.
He said he had “a lot of motivation but not a great desire to talk. I have to work, end of story”.
Balotelli was chatting during a pause in his medical and ahead of the official announcement of his year-long loan from Anfield.
Milan sources said the powerful striker would be given his old shirt, No.45.
At Milan, as well as finding most of his old team mates, Balotelli will be reunited with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who knows him from the days when he was No.2 to Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan.
Pundits say the former Lazio defender and ex-Sampdoria coach knows how to get the best out of his new charge. Balotelli has been met with generally positive reactions on his return to his native land.
On Tuesday Milan legend Franco Baresi said “Balotelli is an Italian treasure”.
The former Italy sweeper added: “I hope (he succeeds) this time and returns with the right spirit”. – ANSA.