Adriano Galliani: 'Mario Balotelli is like Lionel Messi'

AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli celebrates with a teammate after scoring on his debut on February 3, 2013
© AP Photos
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani believes that Mario Balotelli is the club's answer to Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

The Italian international netted a brace on his debut for the Rossoneri to give them a 2-1 win over Udinese at the San Siro on Sunday.

Balotelli joined the Serie A outfit on transfer deadline day from Manchester City, and Galliani has compared the 22-year-old to Barcelona star Messi.

"His signing gives the perception that we have returned as a great Milan," Galliani told ESPN.

"This Milan, in attack, is similar to Barcelona. We don't have Messi but we have Super Mario Balotelli."

Balotelli has 16 caps for Italy.
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TeamPGDPTS
1Juventus384787
2Napoli383778
3AC Milan382872
4Fiorentina382870
5Udinese381466
6Roma381562
7Lazio38961
8Catania38456
9Inter Milan38-254
10Parma38-149
11Cagliari38-1247
12Chievo38-1545
13Bologna38-644
14Sampdoria38-842
15Atalanta BC38-1740
16Torino38-939
17Genoa38-1438
RPalermo38-2032
RSiena38-2130
RPescara38-5722