Arrogant Balotelli wins Golden Boy award

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was today voted as the best young player in Europe, but was rather ungracious in his acceptance of the award, using it as an opportunity to have a dig at Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and other fellow professionals.

Balotelli, 20, a controversial figure at the best of times, was awarded the Golden Boy trophy, organised by Italian newspaper Tuttosport and voted for by European journalists to determine the best player in Europe under 21 years of age.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere finished behind Balotelli in second, but the Italian striker arrogantly dismissed the 18-year old midfielder, claiming that he didn’t even know who Wilshere was and suggested that he might rub in the fact that he beat him to the award when they meet on the field.

"What's his name? Wil ... ?” Balotelli replied when asked about Wilshere.

“No, I don't know him, but the next time I play against Arsenal I will keep a close eye on him. Perhaps I can show him the Golden Boy trophy and remind him that I won it."

Balotelli also took the opportunity to take a dig at some of the past winners of the award, who include Cesc Fabregas, Wayne Rooney and Rafael Van der Vaart, by claiming that only one previous winner, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, is a better player than him.

"There's only one that is a little stronger than me: Messi. All the others are behind me," he added.

"I am delighted to receive the award, but who should have won it but me? Two years ago I finished sixth and then fourth in 2009. It was finally my turn. My aim is that this prize will transform itself into the Ballon d'Or. To have won this award is a good omen to achieve that."