Football

Balotelli behaviour deserved “slap” – Chiellini


Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini has spoken about his frustrations when previously sharing the same changing room with international teammate, Mario Balotelli.
Chiellini did not hold back as he described Balotelli as “a negative person” who had a bloated image of himself.
Chiellini and Balotelli were Italy team-mates for several years, when Balotelli was a maverick striker who looked set to achieve great things in the sport.
“Balotelli is a negative person, without respect for the squad,” Chiellini wrote in a new autobiography.
“At the Confederations Cup, in 2013, he didn’t give us a hand in anything, stuff that deserves a slap,” he said.
During the tournament in question, Balotelli scored twice, including a penalty, in the group stage, before a thigh injury ruled him out of the semi-final against Spain. Italy lost on penalties.
Balotelli was a Milan player at the time and has since had spells with Liverpool, Nice and Marseille, with Brescia the latest stop-off in a varied career.
The 35-year-olf Chiellini then took the time to assess his time with another former teammate, Felipe Melo whom he described as a ‘bad apple’.
Brazilian midfielder, Melo, was Chiellini’s teammate between 2009 and 2011.
“Even worse was Felipe Melo: the worst of the worst.” 
“There was always a fight with him. I also told the managers: he’s a rotten apple,” Chiellini revealed.
He backed up his comments in an interview with Saturday’s La Repubblica newspaper, saying.
“I confirm it, but I have no grudge and nor am I interested in having one. If I have to share something with them, I will.
“I’m not everyone’s best friend, but they are the only two who have gone beyond an acceptable limit.
“For me, the problem is not if you play well, badly or if you sometimes have an evening out, but if you lack respect and have nothing inside. 
“Once, it’s fine, if it’s recurring, it’s not,” he said.

Sammy Wejinya

Recent Posts

Cape Town Marathon 40 day launch

Running royalty is heading to Cape Town next month to race the Sanlam Cape Town…

2 days ago

30th edition of the OUTsurance Gun Run Half Marathon

Lloyd Bosman finally brought the Gun Run to Pacaltsdorp with an emphatic victory in the…

4 days ago

OUTsurance Gun Run

Philani ‘PK’ Sengce defended his OUTsurance Gun Run Trail title in perfect Cape Town spring…

5 days ago

bird TenX: Ten African footballers who have won the most trophies in history

Over the years, African players have been key to the performances of the world's top…

1 week ago

Unexpected trail outcomes as under the radar runners triumph in big weekend of trail racing

Two under-the-radar runners came up trumps in big ultra-trail races at home and abroad, both…

2 weeks ago

Trail racing’s big weekend sees major upsets

Two under-the-radar runners came up trumps in big ultra-trail races internationally and in South Africa…

3 weeks ago