Some footballers enjoy the glitz and glamour of Christmas and are seen attending celebrity parties or enjoying a lavish day at home with the family. But one Manchester City player decided to give something back to his fans this Yuletide - including a charitable church donation and a huge round of drinks.
According to reports today, Mario Balotelli was seen at St John's Church in Chorlton, Manchester, on Christmas Eve to attend the midnight Mass service.
Accompanied by his girlfriend, they stayed for the carols and after the service, Balotelli put £200 in the collection tray.
A source told The Sun: 'Nobody could believe it when he walked in.
'The last thing anyone expected was a big celebrity like him turning up for the service but he was very polite and charming and didn't draw attention to himself.'
The 21-year-old had been feeling in a generous and festive mood all day as earlier he had visited the Tudor pub in the Manchester suburb of Peel Hall.
He chatted to patrons, had his picture taken with some of them - and then put £1,000 behind the bar.
A source told the paper: 'He was very down to earth. Everyone wanted to talk to him and he took it in his stride.
'It's not a smart pub, so it was a big surprise when he walked in.'
According to reports today, Mario Balotelli was seen at St John's Church in Chorlton, Manchester, on Christmas Eve to attend the midnight Mass service.
Generous: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was full of Christmas cheer as he donated to his local church and bought an expensive round of drinks for patrons at his local pub
A source told The Sun: 'Nobody could believe it when he walked in.
'The last thing anyone expected was a big celebrity like him turning up for the service but he was very polite and charming and didn't draw attention to himself.'
Donation: This is St John's church in Chorlton where Mario put £200 in the collection box after the midnight Mass service
The 21-year-old had been feeling in a generous and festive mood all day as earlier he had visited the Tudor pub in the Manchester suburb of Peel Hall.
He chatted to patrons, had his picture taken with some of them - and then put £1,000 behind the bar.
A source told the paper: 'He was very down to earth. Everyone wanted to talk to him and he took it in his stride.
'It's not a smart pub, so it was a big surprise when he walked in.'
Down to earth: Before the church service, Mario dropped in to the Tudor pub and put £1,000 behind the bar.
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