Balotelli defends Dumfries joke and praises Inter’s Calhanoglu: ‘I’d have done worse!’

Mario Balotelli laughed about Denzel Dumfries’ feud with Theo Hernandez and praised Hakan Calhanoglu for his behaviour, suggesting he’d ‘have done worse’ in the Inter midfielder’s position.

The Dutch full back has been in the headlines recently after he was seen mocking Milan’s Theo Hernandez at the Scudetto celebrations in the streets of the Lombardy capital, holding up a banner showing the Inter man holding his Rossoneri counterpart on a leash.

Dumfries later apologised for the incident, calling it an ‘error of judgement’ but regardless an FIGC investigation was opened and he’s expected to be handed a fine of around €4000. The incident proved highly amusing for Inter fans but frustrating for the Milan supporters.

Balotelli weighs in

Speaking on Controcalcio via Calciomercato.com, Balotelli was first asked who is stronger between Federico Dimarco and Theo Hernandez.

“Come on. We’ve just started, and I have to leave already? Inter are way stronger than Milan. They didn’t win with someone who scored 50 goals alone.

“We owe everything to the team’s play and to the players. Simone Inzaghi is a lot, but the Inter players are too superior to Milan. If we take the 11 of the two teams, the Nerazzurri wouldn’t switch out anyone.”

He then spoke about the incident between Dumfries and Theo Hernandez.

“Beautiful. Beautiful guys. If only this were the mockery of football…”

Balotelli spoke about how things would be different in the roles were reversed.

Yes, a controversy would have been created about racism because Italy is a country of ignorant people, but certainly not because it would’ve been racism.”

The striker praised Calhanoglu for his behaviour at the party, considering his history with the Rossoneri.

“I have to be honest, he was a gentleman. If I had been Calhanoglu, you don’t know what I would’ve done, forget it. I would’ve done a thousand times worse, he was truly a gentleman.”

Finally, Balotelli discussed Theo Hernandez’s possible reaction.

“If I was in Theo Hernandez’s place I would’ve been annoyed, but it’s part of football. If he had won, he probably would’ve done it.”