he club’s newly implemented rules and that he wants to return to the Italian national team.
Balotelli has returned to Milan on loan from Liverpool after a disastrous season on Merseyside which saw him score four goals in 28 appearances.
“I feel like I’ve just moved past the first part of my career,” said Balotelli in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Previously I played and lived like a youngster. Nothing went well and I’ve thrown away several chances.
“I am now 25-years-old and I have a second half ahead of me. My career is not over yet.”
He continued: “I will now play and live like a man, I must try to do so, and I am certain I will.”
The striker was also quizzed upon whether he feels that this second spell with the Rossoneri will be his last chance within the world of football.
“I have a promise I must keep to myself, my family, Milan, [Sinisa] Mihajlovic, [Mino] Raiola and whoever wishes me well,” replied Balotelli.
“I am restarting from zero and I know that I cannot make any more mistakes. I can’t expect anything to be handed to me and I must win everything back.
“One thing is for certain, I haven’t forgotten how to play football. I am coming back full of energy and I will work enthusiastically.”
The former Inter striker also discussed the importance of family in his life and the impact that his daughter has had upon his career.
“Certain situations make you mature, I’m talking about the joy of understanding what it means to be a father, and the pain of losing a father.”
“I have an everlasting love with my daughter. When Pia smiles, the world, that sometimes seems to be in black and white, returns to having colour.
“I’m crazy in love with my daughter. When my relationship started with her, everything changed.
“Now she recognises me, she understands and it is a wonderful feeling. I will try to have her closer to Milan, I want her beside me, as close as possible.”
Despite a difficult year, the 25-year-old has dismissed claims that his career is on the wane, expressing gratitude to Milan for taking yet another chance on him.
“I knew that I would have another team because I am not finished. However, I am grateful to Milan, because truthfully, I didn’t think they would take me back and count on me again.”
“Returning here is a dream that I have realised, it is a second chance that many have not had. Milan are providing me that and I am lucky.”
In perhaps a sign of growing maturity, the enigmatic forward has also recognised his faults during the past year, but is still adamant that his former Reds coach Brendan Rogers did not recognise his full capability.
“I must accept my faults, but the formation chosen by Rodgers was not suited to my characteristics.”
“At the beginning I missed several easy chances, then I had fewer chances to score, a bit of bad luck, injuries. Things were a bit of a mess.
“But I never complained, I accepted the decisions of the coach and I always behaved like a professional.
“The professional Mario didn’t just land here in Milanello, even at Liverpool my behaviour and lifestyle were normal. Over the last year there was never a problem with my private life.
“I may have put pictures from restaurants on Instagram, but that does not mean I didn’t train even though I was not playing.”
Balotelli has also declared his respect for his new boss Sinisa Mihajlovic, stating that he is a man of trust and loyalty.
“The coach has known me since I was a child.
“My problem has never been my quality, but my character. There are always a lot of voices surrounding me, every aspect of me is amplified.
“Rightly so, he wanted to look into my eyes and understand whether I had the right motivation.
“He listened to me, without being influenced by what is said about me, and for that alone I thank him.
“I told him that I understood my errors. That if he gave me this chance, I would not disappoint him.”
He added: “That I will give all that I have. That I am a man and that I no longer create problems. That I will accept all of his decisions.”
“The coach is a leader; tough, honest, candid and loyal. He doesn’t deceive. He speaks to you while looking in your eyes, which I like.
“He looks at the man, not just the player. He took a risk by taking me back. I have a huge debt to repay him.”
The striker has also discussed his controversial relationship with certain sets of supporters, claiming that he respects their notion to criticise, yet he will never accept racism.
“The day that they stop jeering will worry me. It will mean that I no longer strike fear into them. I accept the jeers, they aren’t a problem for me.”
“You know when the last time was that fans bothered me? In Verona, when they started chants making fun of me. I didn’t expect them to do that and they confused me.
“I will not fall for that goading again and I will respect everyone, be it opponents, referees or fans. I will avoid protesting or telling the fans to keep quiet. I won’t have a lack respect for anyone, but is it asking too much to not be continually insulted?
“Racism must not be accepted, it must be crushed. The referee has the ability to stop the match. If he doesn’t do that, I won’t leave the field by myself.
“I won’t say anything, I’ll continue to play and that is all.
“But then in the press area I will cause a stir. Respect is needed.
“They ‘buuu’ because of my skin when I am an opponent, and then when I wear the Azzurri shirt they are the same ones that ask me to score. It is absurd.
“The European Championship is this year, we should be more united in Italy”
Balotelli was then asked whether he wanted to be in the Italian squad for the competition.
“Yes I am thinking about them, I want to do well with Milan in order to win back the my place in the Azzurri squad.”
“But now I must just work. One step at a time. If I put enough performances together then maybe I will get to France.
“I want to play in the Euros, and I will do everything I can to do so. Seeing myself with the shirt of the national team was one my father’s last wishes before he passed away. I owe it to him.”
The former Manchester City man is also optimistic for the new season, claiming that his new side have the capability to finish near the peak of the Serie A table.
“I hope and believe we will be near the top. We are a good team.”
The candid interview experienced a slight twist when the Italian was asked upon whether he would celebrate against his former side Inter, disregarding the question as simple tabloid gossip.
“Ah, I won’t fall for that. Are you looking for a headline for the interview? I’m sorry but I won’t say.”
“That’s also because every time I’ve said I will score it has brought me bad luck.
“I have a battle that is more important than winning the derby, and it does not last just a week, but an entire season.
“But if you find a player that wouldn’t be happy to score in the derby then let me know.”
Asked if he would start celebrating in general he said, “Mihajlovic has also asked me that. It is the only thing that I will not promise, because it doesn’t come naturally.
“I’ve celebrated often as the joy is always there, trust me. Let me score first, then we will see.”
