Kaka tells Mario Balotelli to be better role model as AC Milan prepare to take on Barcelona

Kaka has told Mario Balotelli to be a better role model before AC Milan bid to rediscover their form in the Nou Camp tonight.

The striker helped inspire the Rossoneri to a Champions League place last season after his January transfer from Manchester City.

But Balotelli has been a symbol of the club’s problems on and off the pitch this term after their worst start to a Serie A campaign in 31 years.

Manager Massimo Allegri’s team was locked in an ­old-fashioned retreat after Saturday’s ­humiliating 2-0 home loss to Fiorentina before flying to ­Barcelona yesterday.

And the devoutly Christian Kaka, who is likely to partner ­Balotelli up front tonight, has claimed the No.45 has to improve his ­attitude.

“Mario is a great guy, but he must understand that in the world of ­football he has his responsibility,” he said. “Both with Milan and the Italian national team.

“He is a model for many people and must understand and better manage something that is so important.”

Super Mario (above, with Kaka) was sent off after the whistle in Napoli in September after ­Liverpool loanee Pepe Reina became the first-ever keeper to save one of his penalties.

Talent: Balotelli is set to partner Kaka up front against Barcelona

Balotelli did score a superb injury-time goal, but it was not enough to prevent Milan losing 2-1. He then clashed with the referee after the final whistle and was banned for three games. The striker offered a qualified apology, saying: “Mario got it wrong and Mario apologises, but I don’t want to apologise to everyone because it’s not as if I killed someone.”

Balotelli agreed to remove his flashy earrings and be more of a team player – but his on-field performances have since suffered.

And on his return to Naples last month with Italy, he became involved in a scuffle with a ­cameraman from one of Silvio Berlusconi’s TV companies. His agent Mino Raiola claimed: “In Italy we only talk about politics and Mario.

“With Mario around there are so many stories, from his car, to earrings, to his house. Everybody has a private life and Mario is trying hard to improve, but the media add all of this pressure.”

And, speaking at Malpensa airport before flying to Spain yesterday, AC vice-president Adriano Galliani said: “At the moment everyone seems to have something against Balotelli, but it’s thanks to him that we’re here. I would like to remind everyone that Balotelli was signed in January and, thanks to his goals, Milan finished third. Without Balotelli, we would not be leaving for Barcelona today.”

Attention has been diverted away from Balotelli since Sunday when another director Barbara Berlusconi – the influential daughter of Silvio – called for a “change of philosophy” at the club.

After two summers of transfer dealings which have left Milan ­severely weakened, she wants club-legend Paolo Maldini brought in as Milan’s new technical director.

The defeat to ­Fiorentina was Milan’s fifth loss of the season and left them 11th in the standings with 12 points from 10 games.

And Allegri admitted: “This is the most ­difficult situation I’ve faced in my three-and-a-half years at Milan. I’m responsible for everything.

“We cannot play as bad as we did against Fiorentina.

“We need to come out of this ugly ­situation.”

But Allegri’s team are unbeaten away in the ­Champions League having drawn 1-1 at PSV ­Eindhoven in the ­play-offs and at Ajax last month. And Milan held Barcelona at the San Siro.

Kaka added: “This is a difficult moment, but the match against Barcelona can be an opportunity.”