Beckham backs 'great' Mario Balotelli after back-heel row
David Beckham has defended Mario Balotelli over the controversial back-heel which saw him hauled off in Manchester City's match at LA Galaxy.
Blues boss Roberto Mancini questioned the 20-year-old's professionalism after he languidly put a clear chance wide.
"I've watched it back and, from his mannerisms, I believe he thought he was offside," said Beckham, advising the Italian to still score in the future.
"Mario's been a great player for quite a few years and is still very young."
The former England captain, who used to play for City's rivals Manchester United, added: "He'll continue to get better I am sure.
"But it doesn't matter whether you think it was offside or not. There are a lot of young kids watching these teams and great players who come out here. You have to be professional and score the goal."
Mancini, who argued with Balotelli as the forward left the pitch after 31 minutes, insisted that the striker he used to manage at Inter Milan knew he was not offside.
MORE BALOTELLI INCIDENTS
- Heavily criticised for wearing an AC Milan shirt on an Italian TV show while an Inter player
- Clashed with Jose Mourinho, who accused him of a lack of effort
- Sent off twice in 28 games in first season with Manchester City
- Threw dart at a City youth team player during a prank in March
- Inflamed some Manchester United players after taunting crowd after FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley
"In football you always need to be professional, always serious and in this moment he wasn't professional," he said.
"Mario needs to understand his behaviour has to be good in every game - not just in a final or a semi-final but every game.
"He knows he made a mistake. Football should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score.
"Mario is young, I want to help him. That's the end of it. To take him off after 30 minutes of the [friendly] game is enough punishment. It will not have been easy for him - but it has to be a lesson."
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