Mario Balotelli has told his Manchester City team-mates and England opponents that he fears none of them as the two nations prepared for Sunday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final in Kiev.

Balotelli, who is expected to return for Italy to take on Roy Hodgson’s men, spoke publicly for the first time at this tournament on the eve of the match to warn his club-mates that he plans to end England’s dream.

Balotelli, who was dropped for the game against the Republic of Ireland but came off the bench to score, said: ‘All the Manchester City players are my friends: James Milner, Joe Hart and Gareth Barry. But the player I fear the most? I don’t fear anyone. I just hope it’s going to be a good match and I think it’s going to be fun to play against my team-mates. They know me and I know them. I just hope it’s going to be nice and fun.

Double act: Antonio Di Natale and Mario Balotelli relax in training

‘But I just want to win. Even if they’re my team-mates, I hope they’re going to lose.’

Balotelli shouted angrily when he scored against the Republic of Ireland last  Monday, causing team-mate Leonardo Bonucci to cover his mouth with his hand and disguise what he was saying.

But the controversial Italian, famous for police being called to his home when fireworks were let off in the house, for handing out £50 notes in Manchester at Christmas and for exasperating City manager Roberto Mancini so much that he threatened not to play him again, said he had no need to prove himself at the Olympic Stadium.

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