Balotelli answers critics by scoring free-kick in Milan victory

Controversial Italian footballer Mario Balotelli has said that he has started to prove his critics wrong following his fine long-range free-kick that helped AC Milan claim a 3-2 win over Udinese in Friuli on Tuesday.

Balotelli admitted that it was a quite difficult game for him, as he was being provoked by the defenders, but added that he was satisfied with the way he performed, the Guardian reported.

Balotelli also revealed there were many false speculations about him in recent years but he didn't react,adding that his recent goal has somewhat proved them wrong.

Expressing his views on striker, the Milan manager, Sinisa Mihajlovic, said that the real Balotelli has returned, who can handle the provocation.

He further said that Balotelli performed perfectly and was the best player during the match,insisting that he has to continue performing like this.

Earlier, the 25-year-old had rejoined the AC Milan on a season-long loan last month just a year after leaving the Italian club to move to Liverpool.

Balotelli endured a disastrous outing at Anfield, scoring only one Premier League goal for Liverpool and faced flak for his attitude and lack of work-rate during his ill-fated campaign last season.