Mario Balotelli has been involved in a serious car crash in Brescia.
The striker, formerly of Manchester City and Liverpool, was in his hometown of Orzinuovi recovering from an injury picked up while playing for Turkish side Adana Demirspor. According to the Italian newspaper Giornale di Brescia, the accident happened at around 8.30pm local time.
The 33-year-old reportedly crashed his Audi Q8 into a low wall, causing significant damage and prompting the airbags to inflate. Balotelli was able to remove himself from the car but was soon after recorded walking towards a nearby ambulance carry a slight limp.
Giornale di Brescia also claim that Balotelli refused to take a breathalyser test and subsequently saw his driving license confiscated.
Paura a Brescia per Mario Balotelli. L’attaccante è uscito di strada e ha distrutto la sua auto. È accaduto in serata in via Orzinuovi attorno alle 20.30. #mariobalotelli #balotelli #news pic.twitter.com/wyQ2GtsGGe
— TheStreetWear (@Run4Food_Italia) November 23, 2023
His brother Enock Barwuah, the report adds, picked Balotelli up from the scene of the crash and took him home.
Balotelli recently outlined his desire to return to the Italy national team setup after six years away, having seen his country qualify for Euro 2024.
"If I'm well, I still consider myself the strongest," Balotelli told TVPlay. "Did [Giacomo] Raspadori and [Gianluca] Scamacca play [against Ukraine]? How many shots did they take combined? Two?
"I want to recover and play for the national team. I always hope for the call. I met Spalletti and I've met him several times. We made some jokes when we met in a friendly with Napoli, but I have no relationship."
