Share

Euro injury blow for Balotelli

Milan - AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli's Euro 2016 bid has suffered a huge blow after reports claim he will undergo groin surgery this week that will sideline him for three months.

Balotelli, who has made only four appearances since re-joining Milan on loan from Liverpool earlier this season, has been sidelined for over a month with the problem and travelled to Denmark last week for a consultation with a leading specialist.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday, Milan and Liverpool have now agreed for the striker go under the knife this week -- an operation that will keep Balotelli sidelined for three months and could end his bid to work his way back into the Azzurri squad.

Milan have yet to confirm the report but following his visit last week to consult with Professor Per Holmich, the Serie A club said: "The medical staff of AC Milan and Liverpool FC will soon agree on which treatment the player will undergo."

The operation would be a huge blow to Balotelli's hopes of launching a bid to be part of Italy's travelling party for next summer's European Championships.

Balotelli has not played for Italy since their first-round exit from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he became a scapegoat for the Azzurri's generally poor performances.

He has been ignored by new Italy coach Antonio Conte since he took over from Cesare Prandelli, although the striker was hoping to fight his way back into the squad ahead of next summer's showpiece in France.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1781 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE