MANCHESTER, England — English Premier League (EPL) soccer star Mario Balotelli spent the night before Christmas spreading more cheer across Manchester, picking up a $1,566 (£1,000) drinks tab at a local bar before joining churchgoers for midnight Mass.
The Manchester City striker, famed for his colorful off-the-field antics, put down $313 (£200) on the collection plate while making the surprise appearance at St. John’s church with his girlfriend, The Sun reported Tuesday.
Hours earlier the Italian had shocked festive drinkers at a small bar in the city’s unfashionable Peel Hall district by putting money behind the bar to give them a free night.
A source told The Sun, “He was very down to earth. Everyone wanted to talk to him and he took it in his stride. It’s not a smart [bar], so it was a big surprise when he walked in.”
Balotelli, meanwhile, avoided the alcohol less than 48 hours ahead of City’s trip to West Brom.
He apparently returned to the area Christmas Day to continue his benevolent beer-buying spree at other local bars.
But his mood soured Monday when City dropped two points with a 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns, while Manchester United thrashed Wigan 5-0 to join its crosstown rival at the top of the EPL table.
Balotelli was rumored to have handed out money while driving through Manchester dressed as Santa Claus last week ahead of City’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.
The 21 year old has made headlines for a raft of unusual reasons since joining City, including a sideline bust-up with Mancini during a preseason game in Los Angeles; being interviewed by the public prosecutor in Naples over links to the local mafia; a blaze at his home caused by fireworks being let off in his bathroom; turning his backyard into a go-kart track; and being spotted on a date with a porn actress.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/4022433/Sing-song-Mario-on-high.html