adminPARIS. — Controversial soccer star Mario Balotelli has hit out at what he describes as his “racist” detractors after being blamed for Italy’s World Cup exit.
Balotelli (23) cut a lost and frustrated figure as Italy went down 1-0 to Uruguay on Tuesday to end their interest in the World Cup.Coach Cesare Prandelli hauled off an ineffective Balotelli, who scored the winner in the Azzurri’s opening match against England, at half-time against Uruguay.
A social media video posting on Instagram by an Italian said: “Mario, do you know what the thing is? You’re not Italian, get out.”
As a rare Italy international of African origin – his birth parents are Ghanaian – Balotelli stands out in an Italy shirt.
Balotelli replied to the video post and sent a link to his impassioned defence on his own Twitter page.
“I’m Mario Balotelli, I’m 23 and I didn’t choose to be Italian,” he said. “I really wanted it because I was born in ITALY and I’ve always lived in ITALY. This World Cup meant a lot to me and I’m sad, angry and disappointed with myself.
“It’s true maybe I could have scored against Costa Rica (they lost 1-0 last Friday), you’re (in the plural) right, but then what?”— AFP
Online Reporter