Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli says he is maturing off the pitch.

Balotelli is now playing his best football at City.

He told the Daily Mail: "It is the real Mario who is coming now and it isn't the same Mario as last year. That is partly because I am training well and feeling good and getting better all the time.

"But it is also things being good away from the pitch. This is down to me because it's me that changed my life. Well, I didn't change my life, but there are things like I don't live in town any more. I'm outside now, so it's more quiet.

"I try to stay at home more. Maybe I'll stay in with my family, my brother or girlfriend. They weren't here last year. They came sometimes but they were not based here. That's definitely helped.

"I am also growing up. If last year I missed home so much, maybe now I miss it a little bit less.

"I'm happy and there is only one problem with life in England - the weather."