All the rage

MARIO BALOTELLI WALKS into a conference room at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, Calif., and makes something known. "I've made a lot of mistakes," says the Manchester City striker. "I have to mature in many different areas."

Prescient words: In the 24 hours that follow, Balotelli will botch a hotdog back heel shot while alone on goal during a July 24 friendly against the LA Galaxy, get yanked from the game, yell at his manager and petulantly spike a water bottle. Twitter will erupt worldwide with #Balotelli jokes.

But that's tomorrow. Today, in a rare interview in English, Europe's most controversial soccer player is calm and focused. "I want to be the best player in the world," says Balotelli, who turns 21 on Aug. 12. "That is my objective."

To read more about the enigmatic Balotelli, become an ESPN Insider.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe

Sam Alipour | email

• Archive

Sam Alipour writes for ESPN The Magazine and contributes to ESPN and ESPN.com. His work spans lifestyle/entertainment news coverage and features ranging from sports-diplomacy in Iran to sexual activity in the Olympic Village. Contact him at sam.alipour@gmail.com and on Twitter.