Football
ESPN staff 7y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic refused €100m China offer - Mino Raiola

Super agent Mino Raiola has told an Italian newspaper that Zlatan Ibrahimovic once refused a €100 million offer to join a Chinese club, while also suggesting Mario Balotelli would have won five Ballon d'Or's with the Sweden international's mentality. 

Ibrahimovic moved to Manchester United once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired at the close of last season and has been an instant hit at Old Trafford, scoring six goals in the first 10 games with the Premier League club.

Speaking to Il Giornale on Friday, Raiola -- who also represents the likes of Paul Pogba and Balotelli -- told the outlet the former Inter Milan and Ajax star wanted to continue challenging himself in Europe's top competitions.

"Ibrahimovic is the best. He turned down €100m net from the Chinese. He doesn't want more money, he wants to win.

"I've been lucky, I've always had champions. Zlatan, [Pavel] Nedved, Maxwell and now [Blaise] Matuidi and [Gianluigi] Donnarumma."

Once a Liverpool outcast, Balotelli has nicely acquitted himself since signing with Ligue 1 side Nice this summer, producing a handful of goal-scoring performances for Lucien Favre's setup.

And Raiola hailed the Italian's talent -- if not his mentality -- on Friday.

"Mario is a phenomenon, but he's Balotelli," Raiola said.

"He suffered a lot when he was a child, and he's always been that way in the head. If he had the mentality of Zlatan, with his talent he'd have won five Ballon d'Or."

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