Demba Ba’s frustration with being compared to Mario Balotelli seems to stem from the off-field behaviors attributed to Balotelli, such as smoking and drinking, which are not aligned with Ba’s personal lifestyle. Ba wanted to emphasize the differences between them, particularly highlighting his religious practices, such as praying five times a day in a mosque.
It’s not uncommon for athletes to react strongly to comparisons, especially if they feel the comparisons are based on factors unrelated to their professional skills or attributes. In this case, Demba Ba appears to be expressing a desire for the focus to be on his performance on the field rather than any off-field lifestyle comparisons.
