NICE star Mario Balotelli reportedly weighed 100kg when he returned from holiday over the summer.

L’Equipe claims the striker turned up for the first day of pre-season training 15kg heavier than his optimal weight of 85kg.

That means Balotelli put on a whopping 2 stone 3lbs during his break away from the Ligue 1 club.

It’s believed the former Manchester City was preparing to leave Nice for French rivals Marseille.

But a move fell through, leaving Balotelli stuck at his current club and facing no other option than to go on a diet.

It’s reckoned the 28-year-old has dropped around half a stone since returning to training.

But Balotelli is still some way off his prime, as witnessed by his dire performance in Italy's draw with Poland and his complete lack of involvement in the defeat to Portugal.

The controversial ace was jeered off the field after being subbed on the hour mark, and he was blasted by Zibi Boniek, head of the Polish FA, in the wake of the result.

The former Juventus and Roma star, who has a Serie A title, a European Cup and two Coppa Italia trophies to his name, told RAI Sport: “I wouldn’t send on a player who’s 15kg overweight.

“I talked to Arrigo Sacchi immediately after the match and we highlighted the fact that the player wasn’t prepared for the game.

“What matters in football is the intelligence towards the rest of the team and the pitch. I’m sorry for Balotelli because I remember him being devastating in a Juventus-Inter match.

“I didn’t see him prepared to make certain efforts at certain levels. It’s his fault because a professional can’t present himself in these conditions.

“To say that Balotelli worked for the team is an outright lie. No-one said he was unfit. I don’t understand why that wasn’t noted.

“To be a great player, you have to always be fit. Balotelli is useless in this condition.”

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