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Mario Balotelli is a young man who is in love. He loves scoring goals, winning soccer games, and loves his model girlfriend Raffaella Fico. The star striker told Fico (and the world) exactly how he feels during Saturday’s game against Blackburn Rovers.
The Manchester City striker scored his team’s opening goal in the first half of the Premier League contest. It was a delightful finish, but that didn’t seem to be on Balotelli’s mind.
During his celebration, he turned around, lifted his jersey and unveiled a new T-shirt message dedicated to his special lady: “Raffaella Ti Amo”, it said. That is Italian for “Raffaella, I love you”.
Balotelli’s T-shirts are a movement unto themselves. The day after a friend nearly burnt down his rented mansion in October, Balotelli scored the first of City’s six goals in its win over Manchester United. He lifted his jersey, exposing a T-shirt with a simple message: “Why Always Me?”
“Why Always Me?” and other boyish antics helped catapult the 21-year-old into pop stardom. U.K. rap star, Tinchy Stryder even penned the player’s (un)official anthem, “”Mario Balotelli (Ruff Sqwad)”.
The Italian international made headlines throughout 2011. Whether he was dating models and actresses, or buying out the bar for Christmas eve revellers, there never seemed to be a dull day in his world.
It looks like 2012 will continue along the same path, but at least he’s got a good woman beside him to keep him in line.
See the photos below for a look at Balotelli’s T-shirt salute to Fico.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@MCFC
Bottom photos via AP Photo/Jon Super