Mario Balotelli describes that legendary celebration against Germany and why Antonio Conte was right to drop him for Euro 2016.

As Italy prepare to face Germany in tonight’s Euro 2016 quarter-final, memories go back to the Euro 2012 victory with a Balotelli brace and his famous ‘muscular’ celebration.

Remarkably, in his apartment is a life-size statue of SuperMario in that pose.

Mario Balotelli describes that legendary celebration against Germany and why Antonio Conte was right to drop him for Euro 2016.

As Italy prepare to face Germany in tonight’s Euro 2016 quarter-final, memories go back to the Euro 2012 victory with a Balotelli brace and his famous ‘muscular’ celebration.

Remarkably, in his apartment is a life-size statue of SuperMario in that pose.

“When I saw that ball bounce, instinct told me: hit it hard, as if you get it right, the goalkeeper won’t even see it,” he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“I didn’t hit it quite cleanly, it was a bit on the outside, but that was better otherwise it would’ve gone straight at Manuel Neuer’s stomach.”

Italy now face Germany again and Balotelli will watch it on TV from home in Brescia. What happened?

“What happened is I didn’t play at my level for two years. Physical problems, other problems, I was not myself. Conte quite rightly took other players to the Euros. If I had been in his shoes, I’d have done the exact same thing.

“Of course I’m sad not to be in France, but it had to go that way. To those who stop me in the street and say Conte should’ve called me, I reply: the real Balotelli would be called by any Coach. Today’s Balotelli, no.

“I posted that photo of my celebration against Germany to cheer on the team, but in a way it irritates me to talk about the past, as it seems as if I’m almost an ex-player. I do realise that celebration remained in the memory and children copied it, which I liked very much.

“Why did I pose like that? I remember that afternoon I spoke to Adriano, who made fun of me and said I was getting skinny. I wanted to prove I wasn’t that bony.”

Yet Balo rarely celebrates after scoring a goal.

“I haven’t scored many recently… In truth, I do what comes naturally to me. I admit, some controversy over my lack of celebration becomes irritating. Sometimes I would score and not celebrate on purpose just to not give some people the satisfaction.

“I’ve always been a contrarian. My agent Mino Raiola tells me to do the opposite of what he actually wants. I didn’t originally want to be on the cover of Time magazine either, but Mino shouted at me on the phone and called me crazy. Only over time did I realise what it really meant.”

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