MARIO BALOTELLI has claimed that he was just as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime.
The 31-year-old has had a glittering career, winning the Champions League and three Serie A titles with Inter Milan.
Balotelli has said that he is ‘100 per cent sure’ that he had the same level of quality as Messi and Ronaldo Credit: Getty He also won the Premier League and an FA Cup during his spell at Manchester City.
Balotelli himself believes that he was just as good as Messi and Ronaldo and suggests that he could have won a Ballon d’Or.
In an interview with The Athletic, he said: “I missed some chances to be at that level, but I am 100 per cent sure that my quality is the same level as these people, but I… I missed some chances, you know? It happens.
“And nowadays, I cannot say I’m as good as Ronaldo, because Ronaldo won how many golden balls (Ballons d’Or)? Five?
“You cannot compare yourself to Messi and Ronaldo, nobody can.
“But if we’re talking about only quality, football quality, I have nothing to be jealous of them, to be honest.”
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The striker provided Man City fans with some unforgettable moments during his three-year stint at the club.
He was the man to assist Sergio Aguero’s last minute goal against QPR in 2012 which secured the Sky Blues’ first Premier League title.
But, in the interview he admitted that his biggest career regret was leaving the club in 2013.
He added: “I think that was my biggest mistake, to leave City.
“Even in the year when I left, I played very well in Milan for a year and a half, but after that, I had some problems.
“And now that I’m older, I know that I shouldn’t have left City at that time.
“All these years seeing City improving, improving and improving.
“I could have been here like Sergio Aguero for a long time.”
Balotelli currently plays for Turkish Super League side Adama Demirspor.
He has registered 11 goals and five assists in 25 games this season.
Balotelli regrets leaving Man City when he did Credit: Action Images – Reuters Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
