It wasn’t the return he was hoping for, but that didn’t stop Mario Balotelli sharing pleasantries with his former Manchester City team-mates.
The 24-year-old was caught on camera hugging Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy as the pair gave him a warm welcome back inside the Etihad Stadium tunnel.
Zabaleta looked especially pleased to see the Italy forward – embracing his friend on his return to England.