The 19-year old who was born to Ghanaian parents but adopted by an Italian family has represented Italy at the U-20 level and turned down several overtures from the Ghana Football Association about representing the Black Stars. Baffoe who turned down the chance to represent Germany in the early 90s to play for the Black Stars despite having never lived here says the events in Turin when Balotelli was told “a Black Italian does not exist” shows he is not accepted as a full blooded Italian. “That situation was unfortunate but it shows that he is not accepted as a full Italian,” Baffoe told KickOffGhana.com. “His roots are African and he cannot deny that.” Baffoe describes Balotelli as a huge talent with the potential to become world class and is in no doubt he will be a quality addition if he opts to play for Ghana. But he says the striker’s reluctance to commit to Ghana is understandable. “He was raised totally Italian so that is one thing we cannot forget,” he said. “He has lived with an Italian family and effectively become one with no Ghanaian influence. “We can make an effort but we should not force the issue. The reasons he is unwilling with the issue about his parents are very personal issues that we can’t interfere with. “From the way he grew up, he can’t all of a sudden switch so it has to be a gradual process.”
