“Balotelli never took his chances”: Ibrahimovic and Balotelli have a private dispute

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (42) and Mario Balotelli (33) have a lot in common. The two former world-class strikers are considered eccentrics, capable of unparalleled strokes of genius on the pitch – and always up for an escapade off the pitch.

Between 2007 and 2009, “Ibra” and “Balo” both played for Inter Milan, winning two league titles during this period and scoring almost 100 goals between them. Despite this shared past, there is now bad blood between the two star attackers. What happened?

“Balotelli had a lot of chances and didn’t take them all.”

At a “Gazzetta dello Sport” event, Ibrahimovic, who hung up his football boots this summer after more than twenty years at the highest level, was asked about his former teammate. And makes it clear between the lines: in his eyes, Balotelli has wasted his great talent.

“It’s a shame if a boy gets the opportunity to develop his talent and doesn’t take advantage of it. Balotelli had many opportunities in his career, but failed to take advantage of them all. That is the truth.” The Italian does not accept this criticism. He immediately takes to Instagram to take revenge.

Provocation of the Champions League

On his behalf, Balotelli, who is now back in Turkey playing for Adana Demirspor after the failed trip to FC Sion, posted a photo of himself and the Champions League trophy he won with Inter in 2010. In the photo he tags Ibrahimovic’s profile.

A clear provocation towards the Swede: the only major club trophy that “Ibrakadabra” has never been able to win is this pot. A sore point for him to this day. Especially since he left Inter for Barcelona in the summer before winning the premier class. Balotelli stayed another year – and was rewarded with the CL victory.

But this post isn’t the only joke Balotelli allows himself in response. He made an attacking comment on the “Gazzetta” channel: About the 2008/09 season, in which Inter were eliminated in the CL round of 16 against Manchester United, he said: “In Manchester you were scared and I wanted to win. The following year we still won the Champions League.” Without Zlatan, who was eliminated with Barça in the semi-finals – against Balotelli’s Inter. (sbe)

Source : Blick