Balotelli puts pride into Italy

Inter president Massimo Moratti said all of Italy loves Mario Balotelli after his Euro 2012 heroics.

The temperamental forward bagged a first-half brace against Germany in the competition semi-finals, sending Italy into Sunday’s final against Spain.

Moratti said the Manchester City man has proved his doubters wrong and admits he would love to sign the forward for Inter.

“I’m happy for him. I think he’s finally found a home, Italy; all the Italians now love him as he wished,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Balotelli is a complex guy, but above all a great talent and the European Championships have proved this in international terms, in front of the whole world.

“The nice thing is that he has learned to suffer; (Cesare) Prandelli chose not to play him against Republic of Ireland, but he did not give up.

“I have thought of trying to bring him to Inter; I would gladly bet on him here but Manchester City have every right to say no and want to hang onto him,” Moratti said.

Another star of the Italian campaign to date has been Andrea Pirlo, and Moratti admitted that selling him in the early days of his career may have been a mistake.

“He is an immense player. When he plays it is like a 30-year-old playing against boys of 16. Despite this his work never ends and he always is at the service of the team,” he said.