Balotelli's controversial and incorrect Real Madrid prediction

Balotelli and Saint-Maximin were both at Nice in the 2017-18 season and part of the 2018-19 one. Months later, the attacker left for Marseille, just before the start of his current era at Brescia. The Frenchman chose Newcastle as his destination last summer. 

When both were still playing for Nice, Saint-Maximin, who is now 22, was one of the most promising footballers in Ligue 1. That is what Balotelli wanted to highlight in one of the stories he uploaded to Instagram. 

"Don't forget his name, don't forget it, in two years he'll be playing for Real Madrid," 'Super Mario' said in one of  the photos he uploaded in the dressing room. The Italian had made a bold prediction. 

But Saint-Maximin's career took a different path. He arrived at Newcastle for 18 million euros to bring pace and self confience on the sidelines. His agent put a 100 million euro price tag on him.

Although he started without being able to get much game time, in recent matches he has gained the confidence of Steve Bruce, but has still not managed to reach the level expected of him in summer. That tag of future Real Madrid footballer has not come true as of yet. This summer will be two years since that brave 'bet' by Balotelli and barring a miracle, it will not come true. 

 

March 7, 2018