The 20-year-old ensured that City's three-game tour of America ended on a negative note when he was substituted after half an hour of Sunday's game against LA Galaxy as punishment for a ridiculous moment of showboating.
Now the Italian's friend and team-mate Nigel de Jong has warned him that his career will be derailed if he does not begin to show signs of maturity.
Scroll down to see the video of Balotelli's bizarre attempt on goal
What were you thinking? Nigel de Jong has led the criticism against his Mario Balotelli
From backheel to back home: Balotelli arrives in Manchester
'I think everybody tries to help him, not only me,' said De Jong. 'Everybody is trying but it is on him to change.
'He listens but he has to realise it's up to him. He has to make the right decisions and get the focus for himself.
'He's a very talented guy and he has all the right attributes to be a world-class player. Everyone is always talking about the negative things but, as a football player, he's one of the biggest talents.
'It is just frustrating that he does this and he has to iron out those issues otherwise it will be a waste ofhis talent. He has to realise that.
'We've had a good two-and-a-half weeks of training and he has played a couple of games well.
'He is coming across strongly in training and progressing every day but he has to remove these kind of moments from his game.'
Balotelli already had a long crime sheet from his single season at City. But his attempt to backheel the ball into the goal when clean through at the Home Depot Center on Sundaywas one of his most bizarre episodes yet.
Cityboss Roberto Mancini called the act unprofessional and has told the former Inter Milan striker to change. De Jong, who reprimanded Balotellion the pitch, said: 'I've played with some strange characters in the past so I have seen a couple of those things but it's the first time I have seen that.
'He must ask himself why he does these things. But that's for him to learn from and realise that something like this will not be accepted, either by theteam or the staff.
Angry exchange: Roberto Mancini and Balotelli clashed after the striker was substituted in the first half
'You've already heard the manager's statement on it, so that's for us to? follow. It's important everyone ison the same page and everyone has the same focus and that we remain strong as a group.'
City, who beat Galaxy in a shootout after drawing 1-1, flew back home on Sunday night and will head to Dublin on Friday for a two-game stay in the Republic of Ireland.
DeJong, 26, is preparing for the season with the issue of a new contract hanging over him. With two years remaining on his deal, City are keen toextend the Holland midfielder's stay 2015 but negotiations have broken down.
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'We'll just have to wait and see what happens,' said De Jong. 'I'm happy playing for Manchester City so we will just have to be patient.
'I'm still happy, I show commitment every day, but it's up to the board to discuss the terms and how long.
'I'm not worried about it. It's just a small thing in the back of my head. I have to focus on the team.'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail