Mario Balotelli to take pet dog to Manchester City's FA Cup parade - report
Mercurial 20-year-old stuns club officials by requesting black labrador Lucky join him on Monday's open-topped bus ride through Manchester to celebrate FA Cup triumph
10:49:00 AM
May 23, 2011
Mario Balotelli will be joined by his pet dog Lucky on Manchester City's FA Cup victory parade on Monday, according to the Daily Mirror.
City officials were reportedly shocked at the enigmatic frontman's unusual request, but it has nonetheless been granted and Balotelli will now get to celebrate the club's first major trophy in 35 years with his favourite companion.
The young Italian is devoted to Lucky, a black labrador, and had to wait six months to bring his pet over from Italy following his £24 million move to Manchester City because of quarantine restrictions in the UK.
Balotelli visited Manchester dogs home in a bid to replace Lucky when the quarantine issue was raised, but ultimately decided to wait until his faithful friend was allowed into the country.
"I went only once, but I couldn't take one home," he told the Mirror at the time. "I love Lucky too much and it wouldn't be fair when he finally comes over."
This is only the latest bizarre episode in what has been an eventful first season for Balotelli in the Premier League.
Disciplinary problems have led to the young striker's attitude being questioned on numerous occasions, and a lack of fitness and form has so far prevented Balotelli from justifying his hefty price tag, although he did conjure a man-of-the-match display in the FA Cup final victory over Stoke at Wembley.
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