Ben Greenhalgh has recalled a memorable post-match reaction from Mario Balotelli at Inter Milan after one of their legendary victories.
Greenhalgh won Sky One reality TV show Football’s Next Star in 2010 and was rewarded with a six-month professional contract at Inter.
Despite never making an appearance for the Italian giants, the Orpington-born midfielder was amongst their historic Champions League winning squad.
Inter beat Barcelona 3-1 in their semi-final first leg before holding on in the second leg with ten men in a 1-0 defeat at the Nou Camp.
It’s one of the most famous matches in Champions League history, with Jose Mourinho running onto the pitch at the full-time whistle after sealing their place in the final.
Balotelli, who at the time was one of football’s most exciting young talents, was involved in their journey to European glory.
And speaking on talkSPORT’s Thank Football It’s Friday show, Greenhalgh revealed how the striker reacted despite Inter reaching the coveted final.
“He used to go into Milan with an AC Milan kit on all the time just to wind everyone up,” he said when speaking on his stories of the Italian.
“But I think the worst one probably was the Nou Camp semi-final, he was 19-years-old at the time.
“So there were actually times he would come and play with us in the reserves, which was obviously incredible for us because you saw the difference in his ability as such a young lad… but when you then look at the way that he acted at the Nou Camp.
“I think he got brought on in maybe the 86th minute and for a 19-year-old, this is amazing, you’ve just played at the Nou Camp and you’re into a Champions League final, you’d be running around with the whole team, cheering your fans.
“Instead he took his kit off, he spat on it and threw it in the crowd, and walked down the tunnel.”
Greenhalgh was at Inter at the same time as BalotellitalkSPORT The striker was angry at full-time despite the huge winGetty“He wanted to play,” Greenhalgh said when asked about why Balotelli was so angry, before adding: “People sort of criticise Mourinho for not using young players.
“He was 19-years-old, if Balotelli had a little bit of a better attitude, he probably would’ve started in those games.”
Inter won their third ever Champions League title with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the 2010 final, which added to their Serie A and Coppa Italia honours that season.
Greenhalgh didn’t feature but still got his hands on a winner’s medal as he told The Athletic: “We managed to get one because… they were just handing them out in the changing room afterwards!”
However, he explained how he temporarily lost his prized souvenir on a golf course: “It went missing at Aldenham Golf Club
“Luckily, I knew the pro, who’d had it handed in. When I look back now, I think I was an absolute idiot doing those sorts of things.
Inter went on to win the Champions League, and could do so again tonightGetty“From there, I got it back on the ribbon, put it in a glass box and it’s at my mum and dad’s house now.”
Greenhalgh spent at further year at Inter and went on loan to Como before returning from Italy to play for English and Scottish clubs.
The 33-year-old is now a player-manager at Margate, who are in the Isthmian League South East Division.
His former club Inter have the chance to win another Champions League title on Saturday night against Paris Saint-Germain, live on talkSPORT.
It’s the Italian giants’ second final appearance in three seasons, with defeat coming against Manchester City in 2023.
Inter beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a thrilling semi-final clash to book their place at the Munich Football Arena.
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