Mario Balotelli considers surgery

According to Sky Sport Italia, Mario Balotelli could undergo surgery on a sports hernia, as the former Liverpool striker struggles to recover from a condition that has kept him off the pitch since September 27th.

Milan have published an official statement regarding Balotelli’s physical condition:

“Today Mario Balotelli underwent a medical consultation with doctor Per Holmich in Copenhagen. A new treatment [to get rid of his sports hernia] will be decided by both Milan and Liverpool doctors,” the Italian club revealed through their official website.

Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola has recently declared that the player was undergoing a ‘traditional treatment’ in order to get rid of the injury.

“He doesn’t want to suffer any future relapse, even if it that means remaining out of action for one or two weeks more than usual”, Raiola told the media.

The Rossoneri have declined to reveal the what Balotelli's recovery time is, but a long layoff would obviously postpone it past Christmas, very likely longer. 

Mario Balotelli asks for patience

As previously reported, Mario Balotelli could undergo surgery on his sports hernia as the former Liverpool man is out of action since the last 27^th of September.

The player’s agent Mino Raiola had also revealed that Balotelli opted for a traditional treatment in order to get rid of the injury, but the 25-year-old’s physical conditions have show no improvement in the last few weeks.

Doctor Francesco Benazzo operated Balotelli’s knee back in 2010 and today he released an interview to the Italian TV channel Sport Mediaset. 

“Mario will definitely get rid of the sports hernia if he undergoes surgery. Trouble is, it might be difficult to find out the causes of the injury. I guess that Milan and Liverpool’s doctors are taking into account all options and they will decide as soon as possible what is better for the player.”

The former Inter and Manchester City star is reported to be willing to undergo the operation. In the meanwhile he appeared to be in good mood on social networks, despite the layoff.

‘Can't wait to be back in the pitch to score with these! Patience!’ Balotelli wrote on his official Instagram account posting a picture of his new Puma’s boots.

Gerrard Explains What's Wrong With Balotelli

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has explained what's wrong with the enigmatic Mario Balotelli.

In his new book My Story, which is serialised in the Daily Mail, Gerrard recalled a conversation with Brendan Rodgers when the Liverpool boss admitted he was prepared to take a gamble on Balotelli.

"I'd never met Balotelli, but I'd heard all the stories about the indoor fireworks and Jose Mourinho describing him as an 'unmanageable' player," the retired England international wrote.

"I could see that, in the right mood, he was a quality footballer, but the rest of his career seemed like a spectacular waste of talent. That was my opinion of Balotelli."

The 35-year-old then explained how he experienced Balotelli's flaws first-hand and why he believes the 25-year-old is wasting his talent.

"We got on fine. I still tried to help him and I kept looking for chances to praise him, but I could see why Mourinho had been right when he said Balotelli is unmanageable," he added.

"He is very talented, with the potential to be world class, but he'll never get there because of his mentality and the people around him. Balotelli's always late, he always wants attention.

"He says the wrong things on social media. For me, he doesn't work hard enough on a daily basis. You're always fighting a losing battle with Balotelli. He does too many things wrong."

Balotelli has joined former club AC Milan on loan and made his competitive debut in the Milan derby on Sunday.

Do you think Balotelli is wasting his talent? Have your say in the comments section below.

Mario Balotelli has changed radically, insists AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani

Mario Balotelli has 'changed radically' after leaving Liverpool, according to AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani.

The Italy striker gained a bad-boy reputation in England following his stints with Liverpool and Manchester City, and often made headlines for his off-the-field antics.

Yet Galliani has spoken about how Balotelli looks a different player to the one who left Milan for Merseyside in August 2014.

Mario Balotelli has 'changed radically' after leaving Liverpool, insists AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani

Former Liverpool striker Balotelli gained a questionable reputation in England for his off-the-field antics

'He has an extraordinary attitude, he's changed radically,' Galliani said. 'He's the first to arrive [at the training centre] and the last to leave.

'Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic often wants the players to have breakfast at 8:30am, and he's always there before 8am.

'He's probably realised that this is his last chance and I'm sure he won't waste it. His technical ability has never been in question.

'If he continues with the approach he's had in this first week then he'll be fine.'

Balotelli of AC Milan looks on before the Serie A match against Empoli on Saturday evening

Mario Balotelli is a reformed character says Milan CEO Adriano Galliani

Mario Balotelli is a reformed character since returning to Italy this summer, according to the chief executive of Milan, Adriano Galliani.

The Italian striker has enjoyed a colourful if immature past and he had a good behaviour clause inserted into his contract when he returned to Milan on loan from Liverpool banning extravagant haircuts and clothing.

He failed to make an impression after his £16m transfer to Merseyside where his work-rate and commitment were called into question but Galliani insisted his behaviour so far has been beyond reproach.

“He has an extraordinary attitude, he’s changed radically,” Galliani said. “He’s the first to arrive at [the training centre] and the last to leave.

“Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic often wants the players to have breakfast at 8.30am and he’s always there before eight.

“He’s probably realised that this is his last chance and I’m sure he won’t waste it. His technical ability has never been in question. If he continues with the approach he’s had in this first week then he’ll be fine.”

Balotelli’s first spell at Milan was relatively successful, with a respectable scoring rate, although there were some misdemeanours. He lost his temper in front of the cameras after one performance was criticised by Italian television pundits, telling his interviewers that they did not understand football and throwing his microphone down.

He was also booked for making a vulgar gesture at Cagliari supporters, served two three-match bans and was caught smoking in the toilet of a train by a ticket collector.

However, these incidents paled in comparison to some of his antics at Manchester City earlier in his career, such as when he and some friends famously let off fireworks in his bathroom, leading to his house being set on fire.

Ranking the Week's 20 Hottest Transfer Rumours: Mario Balotelli, Pedro and More

Another week closer to the end of the transfer window, teams are scurrying trying to add the final pieces to their puzzles to achieve seasonal objectives in 2014-15.

Collating this week's rumours featuring the biggest players and clubs in Europe, we assess which are the biggest and most enticing potential transfers yet to happen in the closing days. Most major league campaigns are up and running now for 2015-16, so late additions can make all the difference.

Again we iterate that the ranking of these rumours is subjective and open to change based on the changing reports of any impending transfers; we order them based on each player's reputation in the game, the rumoured price tag and the size or recent success of the potential buying club.

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.