Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho insists striker Mario Balotelli is no diver.

Ahead of today's clash with Napoli, Mourinho said: "Mario is doing very well, we should leave him be.

"He just needs to work. I get upset when a player dives, as that ruins the entertainment, but Mario doesn't do that.

"If anything he does the opposite. He dribbles, flicks and is not afraid to run risks. He is 18 years old and has no problem going up against Cristiano Ronaldo, Alessandro Del Piero or Pavel Nedved.

"When he's on the pitch he does not 'respect' anyone. Or rather, I tell him he has to give everybody the same level of respect, regardless of who they are, and he does that very well."