‘Balotelli backed out of a challenge to fight me’ – Richards

Italy Badboy Mario Balotelli (Sky sports)

Controversial Italy forward Mario Balotelli is arguably the most combustible footballer to deal with. On and off the pitch, the 24-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool striker has always seemed to pundits of the sport, an accident waiting to happen.


Balotelli, who once jokingly demanded a ‘kiss’ from Queen Elizabeth if Italy did England any favours at the 2014 World Cup, has become more known for his antics than his footballing exploits.

His tumultuous three-year spell at City was characterized by frequent bust-ups with former manager and mentor Roberto Mancini, who realized he needed an iron fist to keep him under control.

Apparently, Balotelli’s former teammate Micah Richards once offered to provide that, only for the striker to back down.

Richards, who played at Eastlands for a decade, has revealed that he once offered to fight Balotelli after a training ground incident.

Micah Richards is regarded as one of the toughest players around (Daily Star)

“We were playing five-a-side and we were losing because he didn’t work, which is evident,” Richards told Sky. “He swore at me in Italian and he thought I didn’t understand.

“But I know a bit of Italian lingo so I said, ‘Who you talking to?’ He said it again so we squared up and I offered him out. But he said no.

“I fancy myself against anyone!” Richards added when asked if he would have backed himself to come out on top.”

It appears the feared Italian is more bark than bite after all.

Source: Goal.com