Cesare Prandelli: 'Mario Balotelli has matured'

Former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has claimed that Mario Balotelli spoke with maturity after making his return to AC Milan.

The controversial Liverpool striker joined the Rossoneri on a season-long loan deal last month just a year after leaving them for Anfield.

Prandelli, who managed the 25-year-old at international level, has suggested that Balotelli may be turning a corner in his career.

"Mario has a good heart, I'll always have a lot of affection for him," Prandelli told MilanNews.it.

"But I was very impressed with what he said upon his return to Milan, when he spoke of the responsibility of fatherhood and losing his own father.

"It read like the words of a mature person and that is my hope – that he can fulfil his full potential."

Balotelli scored one goal in 16 Premier League appearances for Liverpool.