Mario Balotelli will walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012 - and would kill anyone who threw a banana at him in the street.
The Manchester City and Italy striker was speaking after a Panorama programme raised fears of potential racism at the tournament in Ukraine and Poland.
In an interview with France Football quoted by The Sun, Balotelli said: "If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to prison because I will kill him.
"Racism is unacceptable to me, I cannot bear it.
"I hope there will not be a problem at the Euros because if it does happen I would straight away leave the pitch and go home.
"We are in 2012, it can't happen."
The 21-year-old was regularly a target of racist abuse while playing in Italy.
Balotelli also said he believes he is a genius and smarter than most people.
"I think I am a genius, but not a rebel," he said. "I have my life, my world, I do what I want, without annoying anyone.
"I believe I am more intelligent than the average person.
"The talent God gave me is beautiful and wonderful, but it is difficult because you are always facing other people keen to judge you.
"There are few people with such talent, so there are few able to judge what I am doing."
Update:
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what do you think?
Sarah Lovatt
I'm not a Man City fan but I think that Mario is right, no one should put up with racist abuse. If he is called while playing on the pitch, then hold your head high and walk off but do not make stuipid comments about killing anyone.
Windows Live User
totally agree. He can not threaten like this. Sounds as if he has a problem that should be looked at
Austin Samara
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Grant Baines
It'd probably take someone with marios profile walking off the pitch to force uefa to act. Their focus has been more on delivering a legacy in these eastern block states than delivering an enjoyable and entertaining tournament
Davefly Theuniuonflagbrown
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Rob Shaw
call him names?....bit of a understatement
Derek Porter
Talk about deluded. Loves himself rather a tad too much.
Peter Farris
A genius!!!Not fit enough to clean Messi's boots.He will probably get sent off the pitch, anyway,for violent conduct,before he walks off.A disruptive player,who is more harm than beneficial to a team.Man City would be better off rid of him and so will Italy!!Overrated-wouldn't be out of place in an England side!!
funkygeva
FOWLER23- if italy had any sense they wouldnt take this muppet to euros, genius?- cant even put a training bib on hahahaha
Windows Live User
Saying he will kill is no way to act. He needs to re-adjust as he sounds dangerous. Yes walk off the pitch and go home if he is targetted - a firm response. If evceryone does the offending supporters will lose out on agame and soon stop
Rob Shaw
tbh I don't think the fact he's saying he will "kill them" that should be looked at. He is just venting his feelings about the subject and would be understandably be beyond angry about if it happened P.S Congrats for finally removing the disgusting comments about him having to 'man up'
Graeme James Robert Watson
I agree with Mario idiots who do this to players because of thier skin colour is not right & it ruins the game for everyone else I remember watching a Real Zaragoza v Barcelona game & Samuel E'too & Ronaldhiniho both walked off & refused to return causing the ref to abandon the game
Craig Humphries
why didn he stay in italy,
Phil Tanner
7:49am on 30/5/2012
I agree with Bal , he should walk off the pitch if abused racially but to say he's going to kill anyone who chucks a banana at him isn't the talk of an intelligent man !! Seriously Bal your going to make yourself a target now. Every nutter will now try to do exactly that !! Your a great player mate but ease up on the self loving and the unintelligent talk !!