Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli insists he's matured this season.

The 21-year-old has been prolific this season, which he claims is a result of the extra hard work he has been putting into training.

"This year I have already scored 14 goals and a pair of penalties, and the intensity and effort I put into training this year, are not comparable to last season," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport .

"I have grown up, I have understood certain things."