Mario Balotelli has ‘shown his value’ at Euro 2012, says Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini believes Mario Balotelli has “shown his value” during the European championship and insists the striker will not be leaving Manchester City.

Balotelli’s future at Eastlands looked to be in some doubt last term after the Italy striker was sent off twice for City, with Mancini claiming he would not play again in the title run-in following his red card at Arsenal in April.

The forward was inevitably linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium but he did return to the fold and set up Sergio Aguero’s title-clinching winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season.

And after Balotelli’s brilliant brace booked Italy’s place in the Euro 2012 final against Spain at the expense of Germany, the City boss admitted he was thrilled to see the forward deliver on the big stage.

“I am very happy for Mario,” Mancini told Rai Sport. “He has shown his great value and I hope he wins the European championship.

“I think we absolutely will not sell Balotelli. The club has never thought about selling a player they have invested heavily in.

“Mario is a young player, the City fans love him, and I think it is highly unlikely that he will leave.”

Balotelli is the joint top scorer in Poland and Ukraine with three strikes to his name, level with Cristiano Ronaldo, Alan Dzagoev, Mario Gomez and Mario Mandžukić.

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Read more on: Euro 2012, italy, Manchester City, Mario Balotelli, Premier League.