Inter wonderkid Mario Balotelli is chomping at the bit to make his Italy Under-21 debut tomorrow, and has made it perfectly clear that he considers himself as an Italian, and not a Ghanaian.

Balotelli’s life story is a very interesting one. He was born in Palermo to Ghanaian immigrants, but at the age of just three a court ruling entrusted him to the Balotelli family who lived in Brescia.

Due to Italian law, Balotelli wasn’t eligible to become an Italian citizen until he turned 18, meaning he could not play for the peninsula’s Under-21 team.

Balotelli rejected offers to play for Ghana, and instead waited until he turned 18 last month, which has now enabled him to represent Italy.

The forward was chosen by Azzurrini coach Gigi Casiraghi for the Euro 2009 qualifiers against Greece and Croatia, and he will make his debut against the former tomorrow night.

"I'm Italian, I feel Italian, I will always play for Italy," Balotelli stated categorically.

"I've never considered playing for Ghana, even two years ago when they called me up.

“I am here with the Azzurrini squad at Pierluigi Casiraghi's disposal. If I am in the starting 11 I will give my all for this team, if I'm on the bench I will cheer them on.”

Italy can clinch qualification to Euro 2009 if they defeat Greece tomorrow.