Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has labelled Mario Balotelli as an "idiot" who does "absurd things".
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The Italian striker has had an impressive start to the new season, scoring six goals in six games for OGC Nice and helping them to a surprise lead in Ligue 1.
However, his former coach has now explained why he sometimes thinks the 26-year-old is an "idiot".
"He's an idiot," Mancini said at a conference in Rome, as quoted by AS.
"He is the same age as my son, he debuted in Serie A very young. He's an extraordinary, talented young lad, but like all youngsters, he sometimes does absurd things.
"But young people would not be young if they didn't do stupid things. As a player, he's fantastic.
"Mario has started to display a little after some years. A player, after reaching a certain age, changes. I hope that his experience in France, which has started very well, returns him to the level he was at a few years ago when he was in the national team.
"He has incredible quality and, for those that know him, he is a truly great guy. A kid with a big heart; I hope, as always, he can improve"
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Balotelli won nine trophies with Inter Milan and Manchester City, but failed to impress at Liverpool and AC Milan in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons.
However, it now seems he is getting his career back on track in France.
Do you think Balotelli can find his way back into Italy's national team? Have your say in the comments section below.
