Former Real Madrid and Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has revealed how Jose Mourinho put Mario Balotelli in his place.

Sneijder has spoken of how Tottenham manager Mourinho dealt with a teenage and rebellious Mario Balotelli within his Inter squad of pure professionals.

"Mourinho ­protected us always – but you don't mess him about," said Sneijder.

"Mario Balotelli tried it. He was young and thought he knew it all. And when ­Mourinho was not using him a lot, Mario walked in my hotel room one night when I was with a few other players.

"It was 10.30pm and he said, 'I am leaving the camp, the ­manager is not taking me seriously. I want more ­playing time'.

"Mourinho later told us Mario was only ­welcome back again if he apologised to the entire squad and to him, the manager.

"Mario did exactly that and they came back with their arms around each ­other's shoulders. It was all good again – at least that's what Balotelli thought.

"During the Champions League final, Mourinho told Balotelli to do a warm-up for 45 minutes, then let Marco Materazzi warm up for five minutes. Materazzi came on, Balotelli didn't. ­Mourinho has his own laws."