Mario Balotelli: New AC Milan Signing Snubs The Sun at Press Conference

Mario Balotelli might miss a few things about England. A certain tabloid newspaper isn't one of those things.

Balotelli is off to Italy, having traded Manchester City for AC Milan in a deal reportedly worth €22 million (via BBC Sport). At his introductory press conference Saturday across the Alps, the 22-year-old bad boy took an opportunity to wax poetic on all the things he won't miss about England.

The list was predictable, if also understandable. Like almost everybody, Balotelli didn't think much of English weather or food during his time in the country, and he even took a jab at the traffic scene in Britain (gee, we wonder why that might be so).

Being the rapscallion he is, however, Balotelli saved the best for first. As his initial target of criticism, Balotelli pointed an accusatory finger at the press.

Here's what he said (via ESPN FC):

"

I have to say thanks to all the City fans because they've been very nice to me and they always supported me in the good and in the bad moments. And I have to thank my team-mates, and the manager. Everything else, I'm happy that I left England.

Good things—only when I get to Carrington to train. So my team-mates and manager. And the bad things? Everything else. The press, first. The weather. The food. The way you drive. That's it.

"

Except that wasn't it. When a reporter from The Sun asked Balotelli a question, Balotelli refused to answer directly.

Instead, he verbally smacked down The Sun and the reporter. A clip from the incident, which serves as our Set Piece Video of the Day, appears above. Enjoy.

Here's what we heard Balotelli say in the exchange: "Listen, your newspaper, from when I got to England, it always talked bad about me. So I don't want to speak with your newspaper, sorry."

So how about it, readers? Is this a smooth move from England's former enfant terrible? Or was it just Balotelli being a child once again?

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