Mario Balotelli has retaliated against his former team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic following Ibrahimovic’s recent remarks about the Italian’s soccer career.
The dispute arose when the Swedish star was prompted to draw comparisons between his former team-mate Rafael Leao and former Manchester City striker Balotelli.
As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic stated, “It’s a shame when a young player has the opportunity to make the most of their talent but doesn’t.
‘Balotelli had many, and he missed them all. This is the truth. Leao is not like Mario, that shot from the wrong heel is brilliant stuff.
‘If he scores like that, he’s a genius. And that thing makes you understand why Leao is there and Balotelli instead is in the stands’.
Balotelli expressed his strong displeasure with Ibrahimovic’s remarks and promptly responded through his personal social media platform.
The 33-year-old forward turned to Instagram to post a photo of himself proudly holding the Champions League trophy, celebrating Inter Milan’s victory in the 2009-10 season.
© Instagram – @mb459 – Mario Balotelli’s Instagram response to Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Balotelli shared this image on his Instagram Stories, adorning it with three heartfelt red emojis, and he also tagged Ibrahimovic.
Notably, the renowned Swedish football icon never secured a Champions League victory throughout his illustrious career, despite accumulating a total of 32 trophies.
Balotelli played a pivotal role in Inter’s triumphant 2009-10 Champions League journey, with eight appearances, one goal, and an assist to his name. In that season, the former Italian international made a significant contribution, tallying 11 goals and nine assists in 40 matches before departing for Manchester City.
In the current season, he has already netted two goals in just two appearances for Demirspor.
On the other hand, Ibrahimovic chose to retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.