Juventus' Marchisio Bests Inter's Balotelli In Rising Stars List

In a list of the top talents under 23, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has come above Inter hitman Mario Balotelli...

Jan 13, 2009 11:29:31 PM

Claudio Marchisio, the young Juventus midfielder. (Grazia Neri)

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English newspaper The Times has released a list of the top football talents under the age of 23 regarded as the rising stars in the game.

The list only had three Italians on it, but perhaps in a rather surprising order, as Juventus midfielder Marchisio came ahead of Inter's seldom-used striker Mario Balotelli.

Marchisio came in tenth place, while Balotelli was 19th and Juventus playmaker Sebastian Giovinco claimed 34th.

Balotelli has been in the news as Nerazzurri boss Jose Mourinho is unhappy with his attitude in training, leaving him out of the squad on many occasions.

Other Serie A players on the list include Napoli duo Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, as well as new Milan recruit Thiago Silva.

The top three consisted of young Brazilian prodigy Hernanes, Lyon striker Karim Benzema, and Valencia winger David Silva, who was a part of Spain's European championship winning side.

Adam Scime