Mario Balotelli Could Have Matched Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi Says AC Milan Legend

Italy and AC Milan legend Gianni Rivera feels Mario Balotelli had the ability to become one of the greats of his generation. 

The former AC Milan striker’s career is in limbo as Liverpool are desperate to offload a forward they paid £16m to buy last summer, but there are few takers for the mercurial striker.

Balotelli has been grabbing the headlines since his arrival at Liverpool but most of them have been for his off field shenanigans rather than for his performances on the pitch.

After scoring just four goals in a Liverpool shirt, the mercurial Italian is unwanted at Anfield, but Rivera feels the story could have been much different had the striker decided to apply himself to his considerable talent.

The AC Milan great feels Balotelli had the ability to match the greats of his generation, but admits that the striker never applied too much thought to his game.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 71-year-old said: “Balotelli had given me hope, but perhaps his way of thinking didn’t help.

“He could have been at the level of [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo if he had more belief.”

Balotelli’s future at Liverpool looks bleak as Brendan Rodgers has so far ignored him from all his pre-season squads and he didn’t make it to the match day squad for their game against Stoke City last weekend.