‘He set fireworks off in my kitchen!’: Richards reveals shocking new story about Balotelli
Micah Richards has revealed an incredible new story about Mario Balotelli, saying the Italian set off fireworks in Richards’ own house.
The pair played together at Manchester City from 2010 to 2013 during Roberto Mancini’s time at the club, winning the Premier League in 2012 and the FA Cup a year earlier.
Now, talking on the #FIFAChallenge, former defender Richards spoke about how close he was to the mercurial Balotelli and divulged he spotted Mohamed Salah‘s talent from day one at Fiorentina.
Micah Richards was close to Mario Balotelli during their time together at Manchester City
Balotelli and Richards with the FA Cup after City beat Stoke in the 2011 final at Wembley
‘He was like my soul-mate, he was like my younger brother,’ Richard says of Balotelli.
‘He used to love attention. He used to come over to my house… everyone knows the story of the fireworks in his house.
‘But he actually set fireworks off in my house! Chasing me round my house, what are you doing! But I love him. I still speak to him, make sure he’s alright. Top, top guy.’
Balotelli famously set off fireworks in his own bathroom, before scoring twice against Manchester United in a 6-1 victory in October 2011, revealing a ‘Why Always me?’ t-shirt after his first goal.
Balotelli famously revealed his ‘Why always me?’ t-shirt after scoring in the Manchester derby
The pair won the Premier League in 2012 despite Balotelli’s series of misdemeanours
After his time at Manchester City, Richards moved to Italy and joined Fiorentina on loan in the summer of 2014.
His switch coincided with Mohamed Salah also joining on loan from Chelsea, and the former England international revealed he knew straight away that the Egyptian would reach the top level.
‘In the first training session [at Fiorentina] I was like “this guy is going to be a star,”‘ says Richards
Richards (left) and Mohamed Salah during their time together at Fiorentina in Serie A
‘The only thing that’s surprised me is how many goals he’s scored. I knew he could dribble past people and make people look stupid.
‘But I didn’t think he’d reach the amount of goals he’s scored, that’s the only thing that surprises me.
‘Player-wise, I knew he was top-level – first day he walked in he was running rings round players.’
Salah takes a selfie with Richards after a win over Spurs in the Europa League in February 2015
