The Italy team were advised to stay in their hotel in Salvador, but Mario Balotelli visited the favelas. “I am not afraid.”
The Italy team were advised to stay in their hotel in Salvador, but Mario Balotelli visited the favelas. “I am not afraid.”
Huge protests around Brazil have caused concern around the Confederations Cup and Coach Cesare Prandelli confirmed the Azzurri were told to stay in their hotel complex ahead of Saturday’s game with the hosts.
However, Balotelli insisted on going for a walk around Salvador de Bahia, at times with girlfriend Fanny Neguesha.
“Salvador!! I look like a person from Bahia!!!” he wrote on his Twitter account.
Prandelli also revealed the Milan striker is involved in a charity to help the Mata Escura favela and had already visited this area when he was 17.
Balotelli stopped traffic and was mobbed by fans looking for autographs as he wandered around the Brazilian city.
“It’s all calm, I am not afraid. What am I scared of? Only journalists.”
The Press reportedly struggled to keep up with him on this jaunt and so SuperMario mocked them for their lack of fitness.
Italy play Brazil in Salvador on Saturday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).