AC Milan Striker Mario Balotelli Pictured Sleeping In Train Luggage Rack

The goals have flowed for club and country, with not a training-ground bust-up in sight.

Endearingly so, however, the Italian is still his same off-pitch self, losing none of his fondness for the surreal as this picture, tweeted by Milan team-mate Stephan El Shaarawy, illustrates.

The photograph, ripe for a caption competition, shows Balotelli, El Shaarawy and French striker M’Baye Niang asleep in a luggage rack on a train – presumably on their way back from Verona, where the Rossoneri beat Chievo 1-0 on Saturday.

Forward El Shaarawy offered little in the way of explanation in his accompanying message, merely tweeting: ‘OK, we sleep – Happy Easter to all!’

AC Milan Agree Mario Balotelli Deal...

AC Milan have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli on a four-and-a-half-year contract, the Italian club's director Umberto Gandini has confirmed.
Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, 22, will have a medical in Milan on Wednesday before signing his contract.
James Horncastle an European football writer says considering Balotelli's history with Inter, it's a fascinating transfer. He has never hidden his affection for Milan. Marco Materazzi revealed earlier this week how Balotelli would every now and again turn up for training at Inter wearing Milan socks. As playful punishment, Materazzi would take the scissors to them. TV show Striscia la Notizia caught up with Balotelli and even got him to pull on a red and black shirt. Now he gets to wear one for real. Attention switches to 24 February, the date of the next Derby della Madonnina when Balotelli will face his old team Inter.

An initial fee of 22m euros (£19m) is believed to have been paid, rising to 25m euros (£22m) with add-ons.
Manchester City have declined to comment on the news.

AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng leads team off pitch in protest at racist abuse...

AC Milan midfielder, Kevin-Prince Boateng left the field in protest after being the victim of what his club described as racist abuse during a friendly on Thursday.

Milan’s match against fourth-tier side Pro Patria was abandoned when Boateng, in possession on the left wing in the 26th minute, suddenly picked the ball up and smashed it towards the stand behind him.

The Ghana midfielder then tore off his shirt and walked off the field at the opposite end. On his way, he applauded other sections of the crowd, who then appeared to react angrily towards the corner of the ground from which the chants came.

Pro Patria’s Dario Alberto Polverini attempted to talk to Boateng as he departed, but the midfielder carried on walking and the rest of the players and officials followed him off the pitch.

It was quickly established that play would not restart. Milan’s official website, acmilan.com, was running a text commentary on the game, the headline on which was changed to read “Pro Patria-Milan suspended definitively”.

The entry for the 26th minute read: “AC Milan leaves the pitch after racist abuse by a minority of Pro Patria fans at Boateng, (Mbaye) Niang, (Urby) Emanuelson and (Sulley) Muntari. The rest of the fans in the stands disassociated themselves from such racist events.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters: “We are disappointed and saddened by what has happened.

“Milan play for the right to respect all players. We need to stop these uncivilised gestures.

“We are sorry for all the other fans who came here for a beautiful day of sport. We promise to return, and we are sorry for the club and players of Pro Patria, but we could not make any other decision.

“I hope it can be an important signal.”

The match was goalless at the time, with Muntari having had a goal disallowed for offside.

Kudos to the entire team for walking out with him...

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