Moratti - Mario won't change

Massimo Moratti: Wants people to accept Balotelli for who he is

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists Italy international striker Mario Balotelli will never change.

The temperamental 21-year-old, playing in his first major international competition at Euro 2012, scored his first goal of the tournament after coming off the bench against the Republic of Ireland in Cesare Prandelli's side's final Group C group game in Poznan.

And despite the player's angry gesture after scoring in Monday's 2-0 triumph, Nerazzurri chief Moratti believes Balotelli should just be accepted the way he is.

"I am always ready to forgive everything," Moratti said to Italian newspaper Il Giorno.

"I have an idea of what he (Balotelli) is like because I know Mario since he was a boy.

"He has a wonderful family, who adore him and protect him and he repays that affection.

"But there is something in him that makes him distrustful of everyone, even those that appreciate him, as is the case of (Italy coach Cesare) Prandelli, who called him up to the national team."

"There is something in him that makes him distrustful of everyone, even those that appreciate him, as is the case of (Italy coach Cesare) Prandelli, who called him up to the national team."
Massimo Moratti on Mario Balotelli Quotes of the week

Strength

Rather than celebrate his goal in stoppage time against Ireland, the Manchester City player looked into the direction of the Italian bench and shouted a few words before team-mate Leonardo Bonucci put his hand over the striker's mouth.

"You only have to look at the goal against Ireland," Moratti said.

"You need a lot of interior strength to repress that joy that you naturally get when you do such an important act (to score for your country).

"Balotelli is like that.

"You have to take him as he is without pretending to want to change him."