Like his peers Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo and England skipper Steven Gerrard, Italian striker Mario Balotelli is getting some much-needed R & R. Since Italy’s disastrous exit from this year’s FIFA World Cup, ‘Super Mario’ has been spotted drowning his sorrows on the sunny beaches of Miami.
According to English media reports, the A.C. Milan star was seen frolicking with his fiancée Fanny Neguesha in Florida. Balotelli popped the question in early June, shortly before lining-up for Italy in their first game of the tournament against England.
The Italian stallion took to Instagram to confirm his partner had said ‘yes’, even posting an image of the jaw-dropping rock with which he proposed. The image was accompanied with the caption, ‘She said yes… The most important yes in my life. That was the place of my question! I Love you and happy birthday too! Je t’aime my WIFE (sic)’
The Belgian beauty looked simply stunning parading around the beach in a two-piece bikini that left little to the imagination. The ever-controversial striker was even spotted enjoying a cigarette on their hotel room balcony as he took in the sights from above.
Balotelli’s club future remains unknown… He has been linked with an Arsenal-move this summer and if it goes through, it’ll be interesting to see how the Italian bad boy gets on with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
The last time the 23-year-old played in the Barclay’s Premier League for Abu Dhabi-owned giants Manchester City, he didn’t have the best relationship with then-manager Roberto Mancini. He also made headlines for allegedly burning down his own house after a fireworks stunt went wrong. He was forever in the limelight with his eye-catching goal celebrations like posing with his shirt off and the ‘Why Always Me?’ under-shirt he once wore in the 6-1 defeat of Manchester United.
Despite his idiosyncrasies Balotelli remains an incredibly talented striker. He scored the decisive goal against England to secure the Azzurri victory in their opening group match. He scored 26 goals for Milan in his first season. However his club failed to qualify for both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League by ending their season on eighth position.
Italy came into the World Cup ‘Group of Death’ with the hopes of qualifying for the next round. After beating England in a close fought battle and losing to Costa Rica and Uruguay, their hopes of progressing were brought to a rather abrupt halt. Unfortunately, Balotelli was substituted rather early in the Uruguay match and had to watch his national team from the sidelines, as they proceeded to lose by one goal.