Brescia 'Terminate' Mario Balotelli's Contract After Training No-Show

Mario Balotelli has reportedly had his contract terminated by Brescia after the former Manchester City striker failed to turn up for training.

The Italian signed a three-year deal with his hometown club last summer following his release from Marseille but has scored just five times in Serie A this term, with Brescia languishing at the foot of the table ahead of its return this month.

Il Messaggero, Gazzetta dello Sport and Nicolo Schira (via Football Italia) all state Brescia owner Massimo Cellino sent Balotelli a letter requesting the termination of his contract. However, no legal action will be required as the cancellation was negotiated with the player's lawyers.

Despite his current deal running until 2022, it includes a break clause at the end of the current campaign if Brescia are once again relegated to Serie B. Le Rondinelle sit nine points adrift of safety with 12 games to play.

The 29-year-old has missed numerous sessions since lockdown restrictions were eased, and his most recent no-show appears to be the final straw.

Speaking to the BBC (via The Sun) about the signing of Balotelli - who was given a hero's welcome in Lombardy upon arrival - Brescia owner Massimo Cellino admitted signing him was a 'mistake'.

"I think we both made a mistake," he said.

"I thought that coming to Brescia, which is his town, would commit him very much.
At the same, I think he was handled the wrong way by my previous coach [Eugenio Corini].

"He doesn't show up to training, he doesn't look very committed let's say, for the future of the club. That's the problem," Cellino added.

Balotelli has endured a turbulent time at Brescia since his summer return, including facing racist abuse from Lazio fans back in January which his own supporters and president failed to condemn.

And with the nightmarish return to Lombardy set to be all over after just one year, the 29-year-old is set to go in pursuit of yet another club ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.