Balotelli set to play for Ghana

http://www.goal.com/en/teams/italy/2/inter
Balotelli says he could play for Gh Inter Milan starlet Mario Balotelli http://www.goal.com/en/people/italy/16127/mario-barwuah-balotelli has given the first hint that he is likely to play for the Black Stars instead of Italy and the decision could be soon.

The 18-year-old is a young man who knows what he wants, insisting next year's World Cup in South Africa is among his top priorities for next season.

 
Despite saying he wants to play in Africa's first World Cup, he is not sure who he will play for in the competition – a swift departure from his previous insistence on playing for Italy.

Balottelli was born in the peninsula to Ghanaian parents and has already been capped ten times by Italy http://www.goal.com/en/teams/italy/13/italy Under-21s.

 
But in what has SHOCKED Italy in Friday's newspapers, the striker says his final decision on his international future could cause a major rumpus in the European country – meaning he wants to play for Ghana.

 
The Ghanaian http://www.goal.com/en-india/teams/ghana/657/ghana Football Association has repeatedly urged him to play for the Black Stars at senior level.

 
His adopted family insists he won't play for Ghana but the youngster has boldly snubbed their thoughts saying he could play for the West African country.

“I shouldn't talk about it because I have my own ideas and if I say what I think, I'll end up causing a mess,” Balotelli confessed to the Corriere dello Sport.

“I first want to discuss it with my parents, who are an important reference point to me. Ghana? I have yet to make up my mind and, like everyone else, I am awaiting a call from [Italy boss Marcello] Lippi.

“If I don't get one, I will have to carefully ponder it.”

Balotelli has often stated that he feels 100 per cent Italian, so would he be able to wear the Ghanaian colours?

“As a matter of fact, I don't know if I would manage to do it,” he explained.

“As I said, I would have to think hard. It's also a matter of pride because Italy is my country and it would be difficult to change. I am usually pessimistic, but I'm sure everything will turn out fine in the end.”