Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli rates his form in recent seasons as no more than five out of 10 but the enigmatic star still harbours ambitions to win the prestigious Ballon d Or award.
Balotelli was tipped for stardom after impressing as a youngster at Inter, but the Italy international has seen his progress stagnate.
He scored just one Premier League goal after moving to Anfield ahead of the 2014-15 campaign and only found the back of the net once in Serie A after rejoining AC Milan on a season-long loan last term.
Now 25, Balotelli recognises that he must start living up to his potential but the former Manchester City star is confident of doing so.
I have not done enough in recent years. I can do much better. But it takes time. On a scale of one to 10, I have only reached five. But I will get to 10 eventually, because that is my goal, Balotelli told Corriere della Sera.
I want to win the Ballon d Or. Although I realise I got stuck at five out of 10 in the last two years when my goal was to get closer to 10. I know people will laugh when I say I want the Ballon d Or. I have not done everything needed to become the best.
But the most important thing is that I have realised my mistakes and it is not too late yet. I don t want to reach the end of my career thinking that I have not done everything to become the best.
Until two years ago I was happy with what I had. I was doing well and I was happy with the way things were, even if I was aware of my flaws. I was not thinking about improving.
I started working harder two years ago, even if the results are not there yet. Maybe I am paying for the previous 23 years. But I am calm. I know that things have changed for me over the past two years.
Balotelli missed out on a place in Italy s squad for Euro 2016 following his underwhelming performances in 2015-16, but he does not blame Antonio Conte for his decision.
Of course, I regret not being at Euro 2016. I would have loved to be there, he added.
Conte would have called up the real Balotelli. But the current Balotelli did not deserve to be there. I have not been at my own level for the past two years. I have had physical problems and other issues. I have not been the real me.
Conte was right to pick other players. I would have done the same thing had I been him.