Mario Balotelli has thrown the Serie A title race wide open by naming AS Roma as his surprise pick to challenge for the Scudetto, while also revealing how close he once came to joining Juventus.
Balotelli's Scudetto Blueprint
The former Italy international, speaking to Football Italia, installed reigning champions Inter as the team to beat next season but insisted that José Mourinho's Roma are primed to gatecrash the title party.
"Inter are the favorites and it is clear for everyone to see," Balotelli said. "But don't sleep on Roma. They have built quietly and Mourinho knows how to win. I really think they can push all the way."
Roma finished fifth last term, 16 points behind Inter, but Balotelli believes a shrewd summer and a full second season under Mourinho's methods could close the gap.
A Sliding-Doors Moment
In the same interview, Balotelli peeled back the curtain on a career what-if involving Juventus.
"There was a moment when I was very close to Juventus, really close," the 35-year-old revealed. "It was after my time in England. The people at Juve wanted me, but it just didn't happen. Football can be like that sometimes."
The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker ultimately returned to Italy with AC Milan and later Brescia, but the admission adds another chapter to the often-turbulent narrative of his career.
Balotelli's comments echo those of fellow Italian forward Ciro Immobile, who earlier on Friday backed Inter's credentials but warned that AC Milan, Napoli and Juventus must raise their game. Balotelli's Roma shout, however, adds a new dimension to an already-fascinating pre-season discussion.
Inter begin their title defence away to Monza in August, while Roma open at home to Bologna – fixtures that will offer the first true glimpse of whether Balotelli's bold forecast has legs.