RIO DE JANEIRO, June 19- Italy striker Mario Balotelli took over Twitter on Thursday with a joke that if his side rescue England’s chances of World Cup qualification by beating Costa Rica, he expects a kiss from British monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
England’s 2-1 loss to Uruguay in Sao Paulo left them on the verge of elimination and they need Italy to beat Costa Rica in Recife on Friday if they are to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.
“If we beat Costa Rica I want a kiss, obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen,” Balotelli wrote in a tweet to his 2.36 million Twitter followers, moments after the final whistle in the England-Uruguay game.
Balotelli, who spent two-and-a-half years at English side Manchester City, has already harmed England’s hopes of progressing from Group D by scoring the winning goal for Italy in a 2-1 victory when the sides met in Manaus last Saturday.
AC Milan star Balotelli has been tipped to be one of the stars of his maiden World Cup after heading the winner in a 2-1 win against England in the side’s Group D opener last week.
It prompted Mourinho, who coached the Italian striker at Inter Milan, to say Thursday: “With the physique and the technique that he has, Mario has enormous potential. The skills he has are a gift from God.”
But the former Manchester City striker, who has recently been linked with a move to both Arsenal and Chelsea, said his focus is firmly on the Azzurri cause.
“This World Cup is all about Italy, not Mario. I’m not interested in being treated as a big star like Neymar or Messi. All that matters is what the team achieves,” Balotelli told reporters on Thursday.
After England’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, Italy host Costa Rica in Recife on Friday looking for a second straight group phase win.
Balotelli said he has not yet bothered to study how to outfox the central Americans’ backline.
For now, the 23-year-old — who recently got engaged to model girlfriend Fanny Neguesha — is relaxed and soaking up the atmosphere in Brazil, and dreaming of adding to his goal tally.
“When I watched Costa Rica play Uruguay I was watching for enjoyment, not to study them. But we will be having a closer look tonight,” he said. “I’m totally relaxed. I don’t feel any pressure. I want to score as many goals as I can, but my focus is on helping Italy get as far as possible.
“The World Cup is worth more than a Ballon d’Or or a Champions League title. Being here in Brazil is pretty special — I want to win the World Cup.”
Balotelli refused to be drawn on a question about his club future, saying: “I don’t know anything right now. We’ll see after the World Cup.”
Balotelli may have been the match-winner against England but Italy coach Cesare Prandelli still expects more from him.
“What’s important is that he keeps his focus and intensity,” said Prandelli.
“But he is one of 23 players. He can be important and decisive but, as in the last match, he needs to manage himself.”
