Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli believes there is only one player in the world who is ‘a little stronger’: Lionel Messi.
The Italian was named Golden Boy 2010 for being the best Under-21 player in the world and he now has his sights on the main prize.
He clearly fancies himself to be better than Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and City teammate Carlos Tevez despite failing to set the Premier League alight this season.
“I want to be the best player in the world,” said Balotelli. “It is good to have ambition. I’ve said in the past that I don’t care what other people want or expect of me because I know what I want.
“I will always give everything because I want to become the best. That is my aim and I am determined to make it happen.
“I am really happy to have won the Golden Boy 2010 but who else should have won it if not me? Now my objective is to win the Ballon d’Or without age limits.
“To win the Golden Boy is a good omen to win the main prize. I am now a candidate for that.
“There is only one player who is a little stronger than me: Messi. All the others are behind me.”
Balotelli won the Golden Boy award ahead of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and then admitted: “I don’t know him but the next time I play Arsenal, I will watch out for him,” said Balotelli.
“Maybe I will show him the Golden Boy and remind him I have won it!”