Ex-Ghana President John Agyekum Kufuor has revealed his admiration for Manchester City star Mario Barwuah Balotelli.

The 22-year-old is yet to recreate the form that made him one of City’s outstanding players last season.

He scored his Barclays Premier League goal of the season against Wigan at the DW Stadium on Wednesday.

Balotelli also had an impressive showing at the Euro 2012 where he helped Italy to clinch silver.

Despite his fine qualities, the striker finds himself in the tabloid headlines, mostly for the wrong reasons.

But the former Ghanaian leader has been awed by the striking instinct of the former Inter Milan star.

“I have developed a lot of love for this boy in Italy, Balotelli,” Kufuor said

“I’ve seen one or two goals he scored in some tournament, I think the final or something and up to this day I wonder how he did it.

“It was a good goal and despite all his bad sides, he ends up with a goal that touches your heart.”