Cristiano Ronaldo: Words of Wisdom for City Striker Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli has been in the news quite a bit lately, and it has not been for his football. The talented young striker is now sidelined with a knee injury, but Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has some words of wisdom for Super Mario to mull over as he sits out.

When asked about Balotelli, Cristiano responded, "Balotelli? He's a good player, but he must talk less and think about playing more. In the Premier League, if he knows how to listen and wants to learn, he could become a great player. I hope he achieves that. However, today he puts many other things ahead of his career, and this is not good."

Cristiano isn’t known for his humility, but he has always shown respect when speaking about fellow players and managers. His personal life may be the focus of many media outlets and tabloid readers, but Cristiano’s work ethic has shown that the controversy that surrounds him does not affect him on the pitch. Cristiano has worked hard to become one of the best footballers in the world.

Balotelli should take these words to heart; talking about other players and about former managers will not help his football. It certainly won’t make him any more popular among his peers.

After winning the Golden Boy Trophy in 2010, he had this to say, “I am delighted to receive this award. Who could have won this award but me? Two years ago I finished sixth and a year ago fourth. It was finally my turn.”

When asked about his runner up, Jack Wilshere, Mario added, “I don’t know who Wilshere is, but the next time I play against Arsenal, I will keep a close eye on him. Perhaps I will show him the trophy and remind him that I won it.”

Mario Balotelli has been at the center of a number of controversies since joining City from Inter Milan last summer and recently made headlines by taking a swipe at Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

"He [Wayne Rooney] is a very good player but not the best in Manchester," Balotelli said on Tuesday. "Our attack of Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko is the best in the world—better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid. We are the strongest and we can win things now—we just lack conviction."

The City striker also delivered his opinion on his former coach at Inter, Jose Mourinho, and said current boss Roberto Mancini would soon be regarded a better manager.

"Mourinho is the best coach in the world, but as a man he has a lot to learn about politeness and respect," he said. "[Mancini is] the most important coach I've had. Soon he'll be the best in the world. As a man, he's 10km ahead of Mourinho."

Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has played down Mario’s comments saying,” he likes to joke sometimes and these things are jokes.” There are situations where these “jokes” are not appropriate, especially those involving the press.

Mancini is obviously someone that Balotelli respects and should take this opportunity to talk to Mario about his problem when it comes to these types of comments. It does not seem as if that is in the City manager’s plans.

Of course Mario is free to say whatever he wants, however rude or inappropriate his comments. The young striker needs to learn the importance of tact, especially when speaking about managers and fellow players, so as to avoid the controversy. He seems to lack the maturity to realize this on his own as these problems are not new to him. If he does not come to the realization this is likely not the last we will hear of Super  Mario’s controversial comments.

If Mario really wants to be respected for his football, he should really consider making that his focus, because he is also not the “best in Manchester”.