Cristina Balotelli has supported her adopted brother's criticism of the North-West city after the Manchester City striker revealed he wasn't happy living there as it was 'not up to his taste'.
'I don't find anything wrong in what he genuinely said,' said Cristina.
Super Mario: Balotelli and Daniele de Rossi (left) in Italy training
'He doesn't like the city, you cannot expect a foreigner to like Manchester when even the people who live there told me it is provincial and a bit depressing cause it rains a lot.
'Personally, I also don't like the city.'
Leaping to the defence of her multi-millionaire footballer brother, Cristina is unhappy at the continuos castigation the Italy striker receives in England for his multiple misdemeanors and perceived petulance.
The forward has rarely been out of the headlines, with former Manchester United captain Gary Neville branding some of his conduct an 'embarrassment to his club'.
That comment came after Balotelli had squared up to United defender Nemanja Vidic before being substituted in the Community Shield loss and racing straight down the Wembley Stadium tunnel.
However, Cristina said that people in England are too quick to criticise an Italian player when they aren't performing at their peak and that her brother is simply missing his family back in Brescia.
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'Mario might have not been brilliant, but putting all the blame on him for the defeat is totally unfair,' she added.
'He said he's happy with the coach and the team at Manchester City, but he doesn't like the city of Manchester because he misses Brescia, his home, not Milan.
'He said, "I miss my family and friends but I think this experience in England will help me grow as an individual".'
Cristina is angriest at the media for portraying her brother in a negative light. There are numerous stories she claims are untrue - saying he never bought a Harley Davidson motorbike in breach of club rules and a dead fish was not found on his Maserati, which one paper said was apparently a sign the supporters dislike him.
'Supporters love Mario,' she said. 'Every time I go to see a football match in which he plays I find myself randomly in groups of supporters who sing the Balotelli song: 'Oooh Balotelli... he's a striker...'
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'I always tell him. I think they like him because he's fun and genuine like them.'
Cristina's comments follow her brother's revelation after a pre-season friendly in Dublin that he hasn't settled well in Manchester.
The 21-year-old striker said: 'I'm not happy in Manchester, I don't like the city. With the boss and the rest of the team I'm OK but the city is not upto my taste.'
Patrick Vieira, a City player last season who now has an executive role at the club, says it's time for Balotelli to mature.
'People forget how young he really is,' the former France midfielder said. 'I hope this year he will learn from his mistakes. He is a really talented footballer and I hope he can show everybody how good he is.'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail