Nice's Mario Balotelli: I almost signed for Barcelona

Nice's Mario Balotelli: I almost signed for Barcelona

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli | sport

The player says he was close to joining in the past but his club demanded money for him

The Italian did not like living in Liverpool but had a great time in Manchester

Mario Balotelli claims he was close to signing for Barcelona. THe Italian told Radio Monte Carlo that the Blaugrana were interested in him in the past, when he was a youngster. The problem was money. "The club that had me at the time wanted money," he explained. 

He also spoke abouth his time at Man City and Liverpool. "Manchester City was a dream because there was a very Italian atmosphere. Don't talk to me about Liverpool please. They were a team with stupendous people, fantastic fans, but the place..."

At Nice, Balotelli says he has a similar environment to in Manchester. "Sometimes we go out to eat as a team, to help build unity," he said.

He also spoke about the criticism he's received. "I don't care what people think. They only see me on the pitch for 90 minutes a week. What you read in the media is trash. I am not someone who likes talking a lot. I have never lost my head. Now I have few friends, but they are true friends."

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