Ex-Man City and Liverpool star escapes death as £100k Audi smashes into wall in horrifying crash

Former Manchester City star Mario Balotelli made more headlines off the pitch rather than on it during a three-year stay at the Etihad and has once again caught the world's attention - this time by smashing his £100,000 Audi Q8 into a wall in Italy.

The 33-year-old was lucky to escape from the accident alive as videos circulating online showed the front of the vehicle had been destroyed. The incident happened at 8:30 pm on Thursday night in the striker's hometown of Brescia.

Italian newspaper Fatto Quotidiano reports that the ex-City and Liverpool striker, who now plays for Turkish side Adana Demirspor, lost control of the Audi Q8 and smashed it into a wall with airbags going off and medics quickly on the scene. Remarkably, the crash appears to have left no serious injuries on Balotelli or any nearby people.

The footballer clambered out of the wreckage and received medical treatment from paramedics after lying on the ground. A video then shows the star standing up and being helped to walk by medics.

Balotelli's brother Enock Barwuah is believed to have been quickly at the scene, having returned from training with his local team, and has then taken the ex-Premier League winner back home.

The talisman is currently at home in Italy recovering from an injury. He last featured for the side on November 12th in a 0-0 draw with Fenerbahce.

Earlier this year, Balotelli sold his supercar collection, which included a Ferrari and Lamborghini, after reportedly falling out of love with the cars. The Daily Mail then reported that the star had seen his car impounded 27 times and quoted Italian podcast Blick with Balotelli speaking about his driving mishaps.

The ex-Cityzen said: "In my garage, I still have an RSQ8, 500 Abarth and GTR Nismo Nissan with 1400 hp. But I'm also selling the Abarth now.

"I had two or three accidents in England. I crashed into one once because someone in front of me braked out of nowhere. And one drove into me and then they said I caused the accident."