Family tragedy for Balotelli

Mario Balotelli returned to Italy for the funeral of his father Francesco.

The Liverpool striker and Italy international was born in Palermo to the Barwuah family, but adopted by the Balotellis in Brescia before he turned three.

Father Mario died after a long illness and the funeral was held yesterday.

Mario Balotelli after the funeral took to Twitter to thank fans and well wishers for their support: "Thanks everyone for the support..I really wanna thanks everybody ??. My family thanks all of you too.".

We offer the Balotelli family our sincerest condolences.