Mario Balotelli Says He Can Win Ballon D'Or in '2 or 3 Years' After Nice Move

Nice striker Mario Balotelli still believes he can become the best player in the world despite his recent struggles.

The Italy international left Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer and got off to a brilliant start in Ligue 1, scoring twice in a 3-2 win against Olympique de Marseille on Sunday. It was the first time in a while we’ve seen the best of the forward, who revealed he still has hopes of winning the Ballon d’Or, per Sky Sports News HQ’s Kaveh Solhekol:

The former AC Milan and Manchester City striker took just seven minutes to open his account for Nice, calmly finishing from the penalty spot. His 78th-minute header levelled the game at 2-2 before Wylan Cyprien won it late on for the home side.

It’s not the first time Balotelli has made such a bold claim.

“On the scale of 0 to 10, I stopped at five, but I'll get to 10 eventually,” he said in an interview with Corriere della Sera (h/t Coral Barry of Sky Sports) in July. “I want to get there. I will win the Ballon d’Or.”

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While you have to admire his confidence, it’s important he makes small steps in the coming weeks as he seeks to rebuild his fractured reputation.

Getting off to the kind of start he did was vital. As we can see here, courtesy of Squawka Football, he was far from his best during his time at Anfield:

It’s important Balotelli preserves these levels too. Few have ever doubted whether he possesses the talent to become an elite forward, but what has been disputed is his ability to turn in match-winning performances on a consistent basis. 

To do that, a player needs to show exceptional application and an unshakeable focus. With just two league goals in the previous two seasons, these are not attributes you would associate with Balotelli. There were small signs against Marseille that the striker is ready to mature as both a player and a person, though.

Indeed, after receiving congratulations for his performance from Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the 26-year-old wasn’t getting carried away:

For the player, this move will hopefully serve as something of a reality check. Previously, massive clubs have taken a chance on Balotelli’s talent, with managers seeking to harness his skill in a manner that’s been scarcely seen. But Nice, compared to the likes of Liverpool, City and Milan, are a humble outfit.

While a character such as the Italian will always command attention, the spotlight on him in Ligue 1 will not be as bright as it would be in the Premier League or Serie A. Perhaps that’ll allow him to finally settle into a groove.

Winning the Ballon d’Or remains a fantastical prospect for Balotelli. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid—who have won the award five and three times respectively in the last eight years—produce sensational displays on a consistent basis, powering their teams to top honours in the process. Nice’s new No. 9 is a long way off that stratospheric level.