Italian legend Alessandro Altobelli is a big fan of Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

Local media have pointed out the Altobelli is an anagram of Balotelli, as both scored against Germany.

"I have known Balotelli since he was a child and played for Lumezzane, in the province of Brescia. I always saw he had great talent. He is extraordinary and if he matures a little then he has the qualities to be as strong as Messi or Ronaldo. Spain know that too.

"When people talk about Balotelli, they say he could be a problem for the locker-room atmosphere. Instead, it looks like the only trouble he caused was for the opposition defences."