Real Madrid Transfer News: Mario Balotelli Dream Revealed by Diego Lopez

Liverpool outcast Mario Balotelli has aspirations to play for Real Madrid, according to AC Milan team-mate Diego Lopez.

The Spanish goalkeeper told digital magazine Marca Plus (h/t talkSPORT) the controversial striker wants to tread the boards at the Bernabeu: "Do you know what? His [Balotelli's] dream is to play for Real Madrid."

Balotelli was a complete failure after his return to the Premier League with the Reds, as he was unable to get to grips with ex-manager Brendan Rodgers' requirements. 

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The player returned to Milan on loan for the year, as confirmed by the club's official website, but the attacker has started only two games in Serie A, scoring once, according to WhoScored.com.

The 25-year-old was one of the most highly rated teenagers in Europe as he moved through the ranks, but his languid style and questionable attitude have seen him transfer to a variety of clubs.

Rodgers brought Balotelli to Liverpool in an attempt to fill the void left by the departing Luis Suarez, but the capture proved to be a disaster, and he contributed to the end of the manager's tenure at Anfield.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Sky Sports' Monday Night Football pundit Jamie Carragher heavily criticised the player after Liverpool's goalless draw with Arsenal at the start of the campaign, calling him a "major mistake":

"

The Balotelli one was a major mistake from the whole club, not just Brendan Rodgers but the transfer committee in bringing him in.

The quicker he is moved on (the better). They have Benteke and Sturridge coming back. I still can't believe that they signed him. He hasn't worked out and he has to move on.

He is kidding some coaches if he gets a move to AC Milan.

"

Thierry Henry backed Carragher's claim, alongside the Reds legend on Monday Night Football, and he said the player's career has always been littered with misdirection, per Sky Sports:

"

We didn't see enough of him.

I don't think he was a Liverpool player, he didn't look like a Liverpool player for me and as soon as they got him I didn't think he was a player the club was going to like.

It is good for him if he can go to Milan and start his career, because for me it still hasn't started.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

Balotelli is a strange entity, being blessed with a depth of skill rarely seen, but with an attitude that destroys trust in him.

At Manchester City, he would spend spells walking around the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, oblivious to the game he was involved in. 

This was repeated on Merseyside, and to Liverpool's credit—they moved him on quickly.

Any dreams of Madrid will remain only in the player's head, unless the 25-year-old finds a new lease of life in Serie A, or he is motivated to iron out some parts of his game.

Balotelli appears destined to be one of a number of talents who had incredible potential at youth level, but he simply couldn't cut it at the highest level on a consistent basis.