Mario Balotelli ‘loves Manchester City’ and would return to ‘play for free’
Mischievous Italian, 27, spent two and a half years at the Etihad following a £24m move from Inter Milan in 2010
MARIO BALOTELLI loves Manchester City so much that he says he would go back for FREE.
The mischievous Italian, 27, spent two and a half years at the Etihad following a £24million move from Inter Milan in 2010.
But a string of incidents on and off the pitch blighted his stay in Manchester.
He memorably let off fireworks in his bathroom, but it was sparks on the training ground that led to his departure in 2013.
Balotelli was involved in a training ground row with Micah Richards in 2011.
But it was a bust-up with then manager Roberto Mancini that proved the final straw and resulted in his departure to AC Milan.
Now at Nice, via Liverpool, Balotelli says that he would head back in a flash to the club he helped clinch an incredible last-day Prem title triumph in 2012.
The forward said: "I love Manchester City. I love Manchester City fans. I love this club.
"I would go back to City for free. For me, the year with Manchester City has been the best one of my life.
"Honestly, at the beginning, it was difficult to live in Manchester, which is different from London, and I struggled a little bit.
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"But speaking of football, Manchester City are amazing.
"I am very happy that they have been doing so well, and I hope they will go on to win the Premier League well in advance."