Mario Balotelli doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to professionalism.
Balotelli was backed for an incredible career when he won the Golden Boy Award in 2010 but he’s struggled to achieve his potential due to several off-the-field matters.
The controversial forward is still only 28 but he’s clearly not too concerned about turning his reputation around as he showed up to preseason training at a whopping 100kg.
Balotelli rejoined his Nice teammates weighing 12kg over his ideal weight, which is 88kg.
“He didn’t feel any need to be there as he was negotiating his transfer to Marseille at the time,” a club source told l’Equipe.
“He knew he was suspended for the first three games of Ligue 1 so he wasn’t in good shape.”
Balotelli has since shed some of the excess timber but he still remains 6kg over his target and he came in for criticism following his competitive return to international action last week.
The striker could barely get a touch of the ball as Italy and Poland played out a 1-1 draw in the Uefa Nations League on Friday.
Balotelli was taken off on the hour-mark and was left out of the side for Monday’s defeat to Portugal by manager Roberto Mancini.
Polish FA president Zibi Boniek hit out at Balotelli’s physical condition after their draw.
“I wouldn’t put on player who is 15kg overweight. He was not ready for the game,” Boniek said.
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