Balotelli spreading Christmas cheer

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MANCHESTER, England -- English Premier League (EPL) soccer star Mario Balotelli spent the night before Christmas spreading more cheer across Manchester, picking up a $1,566 (£1,000) drinks tab at a local bar before joining churchgoers for midnight Mass.
The Manchester City striker, famed for his colorful off-the-field antics, put down $313 (£200) on the collection plate while making the surprise appearance at St. John's church with his girlfriend, The Sun reported Tuesday.
Hours earlier the Italian had shocked festive drinkers at a small bar in the city's unfashionable Peel Hall district by putting money behind the bar to give them a free night.
A source told The Sun, "He was very down to earth. Everyone wanted to talk to him and he took it in his stride. It's not a smart [bar], so it was a big surprise when he walked in."

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