Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli is keen to avoid the spotlight.

The youngster has gone from villain to hero after his performance in midweek against Rubin Kazan.

Balotelli told Sportweek: "I let all the chatter about me slide off me, but at times I would like to say: 'leave me in peace. Let me live my life'.

"After a little why you get fed up with it all. It's not possible to read all the things, almost always negative, written about me every day.

"The people remain confused and end up not truly understanding who I really am."