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12th Sep 2016

Mario Balotelli subjected to incredibly awkward interview during post-match massage

Why always him?

Simon Lloyd

Having played his part in sending England packing from the last World Cup a couple of years ago, Mario Balotelli’s football career hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

Signed by Brendan Rodgers with a view to replacing Luis Suarez at Liverpool, the Italian failed to set the world alight at Anfield. A loan move back to AC Milan didn’t work out either, with the 26-year-old failing to convince his old club that he was worthy of a permanent contract.

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A move away from Merseyside was finally sealed on transfer deadline day, when Balotelli completed a free transfer to Ligue 1 side, OGC Nice.

Making his debut for the club on Sunday night against Marseille, he remembered how to score goals, bagging a brace against his new club’s south coast rivals.

His first came from the penalty spot and ended a spell of over six months without finding the back of the net. In the second half, a close-range header tied the match at 2-2 before Nice went on to grab a winner late on.

His scoring start with his new club was enough to earn him the man of the match award and, as is the done thing these days, Balotelli was supposed to be presented with a trophy live on television.

But instead of being presented with his in a designated media area, an over-enthusiastic reporter from French broadcaster Canal+ decided to hand over the award while Balotelli was sprawled out on a massage table, trying to enjoy a post-match rub-down.

Understandably, Balotelli looks slightly confused by it all – especially as the reporter insists on firing a steady stream of questions at him. With the former Manchester City striker presumably not up to speed with the local lingo just yet, the reporter makes an already-awkward interview even more cringe-worthy by switching to English…

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