Waitress Lauren Thorne, 19, did not recognise the footie star when he pitched up at her house after spotting her as she drove back from work.

She was shocked when he declared: “I just saw you and wondered if I could take you out.”

She was about to slam the door in his face when her City fan uncle recognised Balotelli, 21, and invited him into their two-bed terrace home.

The Italian striker then spent 20 minutes on the sofa chatting about football while still trying to persuade Thorne into going out with him.

Mario Balotelli. Photo: AFP